chain gang

See synonyms for chain gang on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a group of convicts chained together, especially when working outside.

Origin of chain gang

1
First recorded in 1825–35

Words Nearby chain gang

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use chain gang in a sentence

  • Bullen's always good at fighting an uphill game, and he would show off to great advantage in a chain-gang.

    Condemned as a Nihilist | George Alfred Henty
  • If there is a dissenting vote, then he shel be put onto the chain gang for six months for his impudence in makin sich a request.

    Swingin Round the Cirkle. | Petroleum V. Nasby

British Dictionary definitions for chain gang

chain gang

noun
  1. US a group of convicted prisoners chained together, usually while doing hard labour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012