Learn English – “Charges levied” Actually a thing

expressionsmeaning

I am positive I've heard of "charges levied," as in "criminal charges brought against" (e.g. the sentence "The charge levied against my client is unfounded.").

However, while searching for a synonym for the word, I find no definition of 'levy' that matches the way it's used in the phrase 'charges levied.' I mean, 'imposed' is close, but that seems mostly to imply taxes being levied; I'd never say "charges imposed;' and when I search for "charges levied," I end up getting mostly charges-as-in-fines levied, not charges-as-in-legal-charges levied.

So, is "charges levied" in a legal sense an actual phrase, or did my mind just invent it upon hearing a very similar phrase?

Best Answer

You are correct that it's wrong.

It's a mistake caused by confusion between the set phrases

  • charges leveled

and

  • penalties/fees levied.

This might come from misconstruing a criminal charge as a monetary charge (fee).

Related Topic