subpoena (someone or something) to (do something)

subpoena (someone or something) to (do something)

To issue a formal legal order under authority of a court of law commanding a person to appear at court or do something in court. His life could be in danger if the mob finds out he's been subpoenaed to testify. I didn't even know that I had been given a speeding ticket until I was subpoenaed to appear in court and pay the fine I owed.

See also: subpoena, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

subpoena someone to do something

to formally deliver a document forcing someone to do something for a legal process. The attorney subpoenaed a number of witnesses to testify. I subpoenaed four witnesses to appear but none of them showed up.

See also: subpoena, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.