Cool MateDetain vs Take the batman into custody
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Detain
Take the batman into custody
| Detain | Take the batman into custody | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //teɪk ði ˈbætmən ˈɪntu ˈkʌstədi//🇺🇸 //teɪk ðə ˈbætmən ˈɪntu ˈkʌstədi// |
| Meaning | To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave. | To put someone in police care. |
| Example | The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning. | The police had to take the batman into custody after the incident. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | briefly, indefinitely, illegally, need not, for, in connection with, be detained in custody, be detained in hospital, detain somebody without charge | take into custody, place in custody, hold in custody |
| Antonyms | release, free, liberate | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'retain' which means to keep possession of something., Using 'detain' when referring to someone simply waiting, instead of being held by authority., Incorrectly using 'detain' without specifying who is being detained. | Confused with 'take' + noun and 'take' + infinitive., Using 'custody' without context about arrest., Mixing up 'batman' as a character rather than a person. |
| Usage notes | Used in legal and police contexts. Be careful using it informally; it's not common in everyday conversations about delays or waiting. | This phrase is often used in law enforcement contexts. It's neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings when discussing arrests or detainment. |
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Frequently asked questions: Detain vs Take the batman into custody
What's the difference between Detain and Take the batman into custody?
Detain: To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave. Take the batman into custody: To put someone in police care.
Which is more formal: Detain and Take the batman into custody?
Detain is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Detain and Take the batman into custody?
Detain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Detain: The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning. Take the batman into custody: The police had to take the batman into custody after the incident.
Can I use Detain and Take the batman into custody interchangeably?
Not always. Detain and Take the batman into custody are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.