Cool MateArrest vs Bag him
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Arrest
FormalTop 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Bag him
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: ArrestMost common: Arrest
| Arrest | Bag him | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //bæɡ hɪm//🇺🇸 //bæɡ hɪm// |
| Meaning | To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. | Catch someone, usually for a crime. |
| Example | The police decided to arrest the suspect after gathering enough evidence. | The police managed to bag him before he got away. |
| Register | Formal | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | arrest someone, arrest warrant, arrest for theft, arrest on suspicion | bag a suspect, bag a criminal, bag the prize, quickly bag him, successfully bag him |
| Antonyms | release, free | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'detain' which means to hold someone temporarily., Using it without an object, such as saying 'He was arrested' instead of 'They arrested him.', Misusing the term for non-legal situations. | Confused with 'bag it', which means to quit or leave., Used incorrectly in formal situations., Mistaking it for literal bagging of items. |
| Usage notes | Used primarily in legal contexts. Avoid using in casual conversation unless discussing crime or law topics. Can sound too serious for light discussions. | Common in casual conversation; may not be suitable for formal contexts. It can also imply making a successful capture, not always negative. |
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Frequently asked questions: Arrest vs Bag him
What's the difference between Arrest and Bag him?
Arrest: To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. Bag him: Catch someone, usually for a crime.
Which is more formal: Arrest and Bag him?
Arrest is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Arrest and Bag him?
Arrest is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Arrest: The police decided to arrest the suspect after gathering enough evidence. Bag him: The police managed to bag him before he got away.
Can I use Arrest and Bag him interchangeably?
Not always. Arrest and Bag him 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.