2lock verb
locks; locked; lock·ing 1 a [+ obj] : to fasten (something) with a lock
▪ They locked the door when they left and unlocked it when they returned. ▪ She locked the bicycle to the railing with a chain. ▪ The door was locked.
b [+ obj] : to fasten the door, lid, etc., of (something) with a lock
▪ He forgot to lock the car. ▪ They locked the box (shut) with a padlock. ▪ a locked room — often + up ▪ She locked up the house.
c [no obj] : to become fastened with a lock
▪ The door locked behind him. [=after he went through it] ▪ The car locks automatically when you start the engine. 2 a [no obj] : to become fixed in one position
▪ The wheels/brakes locked and the car skidded off the road. ▪ Their eyes locked. [=they looked directly at each other without looking away]
b [+ obj] : to hold (someone or something) in a fixed position
▪ He locked her in his arms. = He locked her in a tight/close embrace. [=he embraced her tightly/closely] ▪ They were locked in each other's arms. ▪ He locked his fingers around her wrist [=he gripped her wrist very tightly] and refused to let go. ▪ She locked her hands around the steering wheel. ▪ Protesters locked [=linked] arms across the forest road. ▪ His eyes were locked on her as she walked across the room. [=he was looking at her and at nothing else] ▪ Repeat the exercise, being careful not to lock your knees. [=being careful not to hold your knees in a fully extended position] — often used figuratively ▪ They were locked in a contract dispute. ▪ two armies locked in a terrible struggle/fight ▪ She was locked [=trapped] in a loveless marriage. 3 [+ obj] computers : to make (a file, database, etc.) impossible for others to open or change
▪ lock a database ▪ The file is locked for editing.
▪ They locked the door when they left and unlocked it when they returned. ▪ She locked the bicycle to the railing with a chain. ▪ The door was locked.
b [+ obj] : to fasten the door, lid, etc., of (something) with a lock
▪ He forgot to lock the car. ▪ They locked the box (shut) with a padlock. ▪ a locked room — often + up ▪ She locked up the house.
c [no obj] : to become fastened with a lock
▪ The door locked behind him. [=after he went through it] ▪ The car locks automatically when you start the engine.
▪ The wheels/brakes locked and the car skidded off the road. ▪ Their eyes locked. [=they looked directly at each other without looking away]
b [+ obj] : to hold (someone or something) in a fixed position
▪ He locked her in his arms. = He locked her in a tight/close embrace. [=he embraced her tightly/closely] ▪ They were locked in each other's arms. ▪ He locked his fingers around her wrist [=he gripped her wrist very tightly] and refused to let go. ▪ She locked her hands around the steering wheel. ▪ Protesters locked [=linked] arms across the forest road. ▪ His eyes were locked on her as she walked across the room. [=he was looking at her and at nothing else] ▪ Repeat the exercise, being careful not to lock your knees. [=being careful not to hold your knees in a fully extended position] — often used figuratively ▪ They were locked in a contract dispute. ▪ two armies locked in a terrible struggle/fight ▪ She was locked [=trapped] in a loveless marriage.
▪ lock a database ▪ The file is locked for editing.
lock away [phrasal verb] 1 lock (something) away or lock away (something) : to put (something) in a locked container, place, etc.
▪ The jewelry was locked away [=locked up] in a cabinet. 2 lock (someone) away or lock away (someone) : to put (someone) in a locked place (such as a prison) for a long period of time
▪ lock away [=lock up] a criminal ▪ The state locked their sister away in a psychiatric hospital. 3 lock (yourself) away : to stay in a room or place by yourself for a long period of time
▪ He locked himself away in his room while he studied. = He was locked away in his room while he studied.
▪ The jewelry was locked away [=locked up] in a cabinet.
▪ lock away [=lock up] a criminal ▪ The state locked their sister away in a psychiatric hospital.
▪ He locked himself away in his room while he studied. = He was locked away in his room while he studied.
lock horns
: to disagree about how something should be done : to fight or argue
▪ They've locked horns (with each other) over this issue a number of times.
▪ They've locked horns (with each other) over this issue a number of times.
lock in [phrasal verb] 1 lock (someone or something) in : to put or keep (someone or something) in a locked place, room, etc.
▪ She locked her brother in the bathroom. ▪ They locked the jewels in a safe. ▪ They threatened to lock him in jail. ▪ They pushed him into the room and locked him in. 2 lock (something) in or lock in (something) : to do something that makes you sure to get (something that could change, such as a good price, an interest rate, etc.)
▪ If you sign the contract today, you can lock in this low interest rate before it goes any higher.
▪ She locked her brother in the bathroom. ▪ They locked the jewels in a safe. ▪ They threatened to lock him in jail. ▪ They pushed him into the room and locked him in.
▪ If you sign the contract today, you can lock in this low interest rate before it goes any higher.
lock on/onto [phrasal verb]
lock on/onto (something) : to use electronic methods to find (a target)
▪ The pilot locked onto the ship and fired a missile. ▪ The missile locked on the target.
▪ The pilot locked onto the ship and fired a missile. ▪ The missile locked on the target.
lock out [phrasal verb]
lock (someone) out or lock out (someone) 1 : to prevent (someone) from entering a place, car, etc., by locking it
▪ I locked myself out accidentally. — often + of ▪ She locked her husband out of the house. 2 : to prevent (workers) from going to work in order to force an agreement
▪ The company has threatened to lock out its factory workers unless they agree to a new contract. — see also lockout
▪ I locked myself out accidentally. — often + of ▪ She locked her husband out of the house.
▪ The company has threatened to lock out its factory workers unless they agree to a new contract. — see also lockout
lock up [phrasal verb] 1 : to lock all of the doors of a building before leaving it
▪ The last employee to leave the store at night has to lock up. 2 lock (something) up or lock up (something) a : to put (something) in a locked container, room, etc.
▪ The money is locked up [=locked away] in a safe. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ Most of his money is locked up in real estate. [=most of his money is not easily available because it is invested in real estate]
b chiefly US : to make control or achievement of (something) certain
▪ The team has first place locked up. [=the team is certain of getting first place] ▪ He was unable to lock up enough states to win the election. — see also 2lock 1b (above) 3 lock (someone) up or lock up (someone) : to put (someone) in a locked place (such as a prison) for a long period of time
▪ The police should lock him up. [=lock him away] — see also lockup
▪ The last employee to leave the store at night has to lock up.
▪ The money is locked up [=locked away] in a safe. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ Most of his money is locked up in real estate. [=most of his money is not easily available because it is invested in real estate]
b chiefly US : to make control or achievement of (something) certain
▪ The team has first place locked up. [=the team is certain of getting first place] ▪ He was unable to lock up enough states to win the election. — see also 2lock 1b (above)
▪ The police should lock him up. [=lock him away] — see also lockup
