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7 English Phrasal Verbs With 'LOCK'

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We have definitions for 7 phrasal verbs with 'LOCK'

7 phrasal verbs with 'LOCK'

Lock away

  1. Lock in a safe place
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: He LOCKED the gun AWAY in a drawer.
  2. Put someone in prison or a mental hospital for a very long time
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: They LOCKED him AWAY for life after the murders.

Lock down

  1. Make very secure
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: If you lock down your computer properly, it is very difficult for people to access it.
  2. Restrict people's movements to reduce the spread of a disease
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: They have LOCKED DOWN the entire country- shops and businesses are closed, and no one can leave their homes except for essential reasons.

Lock in

  1. Lock a place to stop someone leaving
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: They LOCKED him IN the room until he had calmed down.
  2. Commit someone in such a way that they cannot leave
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: They are LOCKED IN now that they have paid their subscription.

Lock onto

  1. Find a target and head for it
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: The missile LOCKED ONTO the plane and blew it out of the sky.

Lock out

  1. Close a workplace to stop workers entering
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: The management LOCKED the staff OUT because they had turned down the pay offer.
  2. Lock a place to stop someone getting in
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: I lost my key and LOCKED myself OUT.

Lock up

  1. Close all doors, windows, etc.
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: She LOCKED UP after everyone had left and went home.
  2. Lock something in a safe place
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: I LOCKED my money UP in the safe.
  3. Put in prison or a mental hospital
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: They LOCKED him UP for burglary.

Lock yourself away

  1. Go somewhere away from people to study or work
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: I LOCK MYSELF AWAY for a few weeks before exams.

Take our Exercise on 'LOCK'

Quiz for Verb: 'To LOCK'

Choose the correct definition for each phrasal verb...

'Lock yourself away' means...

'Lock in' means...

'Lock up' means...

'Lock away' means...

'Lock out' means...

'Lock up' means...

'Lock away' means...

'Lock up' means...

'Lock out' means...

'Lock onto' means...

 

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