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Glite Dictionary
resisting arrest

resisting arrest

25 7.0
To use physical force against the police when they try to arrest you
  • noun
  • Formal
translation icon : resistencia al arresto
  • Examples of serious dispositions include resisting arrest, burglary, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, assault, and theft.
  • resisting arrest charge
  • resisting arrest, disorderly
  • resisting arrest, assault

I was told there's no, no resisting arrest charge in England.

Examples

  • The cops need to be controlled, but forget about winning the right to resist arrest.

    Blog text (32)

  • A cop came by, said I had been charged with first-degree assault, resisting arrest, and public intoxication.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • In my experience, it is common knowledge that if you in any way resist arrest:

    Blog text (25)

  • Got one in custody on assault and resisting arrest.

    Souleater (2017)

  • You get arrested for resisting arrest or impeding the work of an officer.

  • A man in handcuffs is accused by a police officer of resisting arrest.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • The suspect was arrested on charges of aggravated domestic violence and resisting arrest.

    Blog text (33)

  • Halevy was arrested and charged with assault, trespass, resisting arrest, and harassment in connection with the incident.

    Blog text (25)

  • The charges were rioting, creating a public nuisance, obstructing justice, and resisting arrest.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • He faced serious penalties for resisting arrest during the police operation.

How Forceful

gunplay
  • NSFW
11 7.3
assault and battery
  • Specialized
17 6.1
resisting arrest
  • Formal
25 7.0
compliance
171 5.0

Surface Forms

resisting arrest singular
resisting arrests plural

Morphology

resist + arrest

The meaning is directly compositional: 'resist' (to oppose) + 'arrest' (detention) yields the action of opposing an arrest, and the noun form simply names that action. While there is a legal nuance (it can be a criminal charge), the core concept is predictable from the constituents and mirrors similar constructions in many other languages, so a B1 learner who knows the words would understand it.

Etymology

The phrase resisting arrest comes from the clear image of someone physically pushing away police who are trying to put on handcuffs—resist is to push back and arrest is being held by police. So, it now means 'opposing a police arrest' and is usually treated as a crime.