do one's own time

present singular third person does one's own time · participle present doing one's own time · past did one's own time · participle past done one's own time

1. idiomaticinformalTo serve a prison sentence without becoming involved in any illicit dealings or prison gangs.

   He did his own time, minded his own business.

   2009, Caryl Chessman, Cell 2455, Death Row: A Condemned Man's Own Story

   2 more examples

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

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

   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.

   2020, Clark Howard, Hard City