7 English Phrasal Verbs With 'LOCK'

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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.

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