What does “Her Majesty's pleasure” mean?
The phrase "Her Majesty's pleasure" means being incarcerated or serving time in prison. It is a euphemism used to refer to the act of being in jail or being sentenced to prison.
How is the expression used in real life?
Example
He spent a year at Her Majesty's pleasure for his involvement in the robbery.
Example
The thief will be staying in jail at Her Majesty's pleasure.
Example
They were sentenced to three years at Her Majesty's pleasure for their crimes.
What context can I use each expression in?
- 1Describing someone's imprisonment
He spent a year at Her Majesty's pleasure for his involvement in the robbery.
The thief will be staying in jail at Her Majesty's pleasure.
- 2Referring to a prison sentence
They were sentenced to three years at Her Majesty's pleasure for their crimes.
He will be serving time at Her Majesty's pleasure for his actions.
- 3Discussing the legal consequences of a crime
The judge decided to send him to Her Majesty's pleasure due to the severity of his offense.
The defendant was found guilty and will be held at Her Majesty's pleasure.
Good things to know:
What is the origin of the phrase?
The phrase "Her Majesty's pleasure" originated in the United Kingdom and is commonly used in British English. It refers to the authority of the reigning monarch to grant pardons or commute sentences. In the context of prison, it is used to euphemistically describe being incarcerated or serving time.
Can the phrase be used on its own?
The phrase "Her Majesty's pleasure" is typically used within a sentence to describe someone's imprisonment. It is not commonly used on its own without supporting words.
Is the phrase offensive?
The phrase "Her Majesty's pleasure" is not offensive in itself. However, it is a euphemism for being incarcerated or serving time in prison, which can be a sensitive topic for some individuals.
Audience for the phrase
The phrase "Her Majesty's pleasure" is primarily used in the United Kingdom and is more commonly understood by individuals familiar with British English and legal terminology. It is often used in formal or legal contexts.
Is the phrase specific to an accent or country?
The phrase "Her Majesty's pleasure" is specific to the United Kingdom and is not widely used in other English-speaking regions.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- serving time
- incarcerated
- imprisoned
- behind bars
- doing time
Antonyms
- free
- released
- out of prison
- not incarcerated
- not serving time
