(serve)
121serve time — (Roget s IV) v. Syn. stand committed, serve out a jail sentence, be incarcerated, be in jail, pay one s debt to society, go to jail, do a term, be in stir, be in the joint, do time, be sent up …
122serve out — PHRASAL VERB If someone serves out their term of office, contract, or prison sentence, they do not leave before the end of the agreed period of time. [V P n (not pron)] The governor has declared his innocence and says he plans to fight and serve… …
123serve in office — fill an official post, serve in a public position …
124serve the purpose — do the job, accomplish the task If you don t have an organ, a piano will serve the purpose …
125serve one's purpose — be useful to someone for a certain need That tool should serve my purpose until I find the correct one …
126serve out — Tennis win the final game of a set or match while serving. → serve …
127serve someone right — be someone s deserved punishment or misfortune. → serve …
128serve one's time — Be an apprentice, serve one s apprenticeship …
