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bail

Definition

  • noun: an amount of money given to a court to allow a prisoner to leave jail and return later for a trial
  • noun: a container used to remove water from a boat
  • verb: to remove or throw water 'from' or 'out of' a boat
  • verb: to clear (water) from a boat by dipping and throwing over the side
  • verb: to release under bail
  • usually used with 'out'
  • synonyms: lade, deliver, release

Examples

  • They were both 'free/out on' $10,000 'bail'. [=they both paid the court $10,000 and promised to return for their trials]

  • We used a bucket to 'bail' water 'out of' the canoe. = We used a bucket to 'bail out' the canoe.

  • She 'bailed' [='bailed out'] when times got tough. [=she left when life became difficult]

Movie quotes

  • (..) People are already walking away from me. I'm dead in here. You got to get me out. Karen finally got her mother to put her house up for my bail and I was out. I remember I had this feeling I would be killed right outside the jail. I knew Paulie was still pissed at me and he is such a hothead. (..)
    1990 Goodfellas