do one's own time

do one's own time (third-person singular simple present does one's own time, present participle doing one's own time, simple past did one's own time, past participle done one's own time)

1. (informal, idiomatic) To serve a prison sentence without becoming involved in any illicit dealings or prison gangs.
   • 2009, Caryl Chessman, Cell 2455, Death Row: A Condemned Man's Own Story:

     He did his own time, minded his own business.

   • 2011, James A. Goble, My Own Worst Enemy, page 171:

     But typically, if an inmate just minded his own business and did his own time, he could usually stay out of serious trouble.

   • 2020, Clark Howard, Hard City:

     Anyways, like I said, your dad went his own way, minded his own business, did his own time; all's he wanted to do was finish his stretch and get back home to you and your mother.