noun

jailbird

jailbird, convict

He's an old jailbird who knows the system.

He's an old jailbird who knows the system.

((a/an)) jailbird a person who is or has often been in prison He's an old jailbird who knows the system.

Synonyms: convict, inmate, prisoner, con

A compound of 'jail' + 'bird', comparing a person in prison to a caged bird.

Picture a bird trapped in a jail cell. This person is a 'jailbird'.

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