lock away
Present Participle
locking away
Past Tense
locked away
Past Participle
locked away
1
to put a person in a place where they can not escape from, such as a psychiatric hospital or prison
- The authorities locked away the dangerous criminal in a maximum-security prison.
- The patient was locked away in a psychiatric hospital for observation.
- The court ordered the individual to be locked away in a psychiatric hospital for treatment.
- The authorities locked away the suspects in separate cells pending further investigation.
- The parents struggled with the decision to lock away their troubled child for their own safety and well-being.
2
to place something in a container or place that can be securely fastened with a lock
- The jeweler locked away the precious gems in a vault for safekeeping.
- The homeowner locked away their important documents in a fireproof safe.
- The teacher locked away the exam papers in a secure cabinet to prevent cheating.
- The laboratory technician locked away hazardous chemicals in a designated storage area.
- The family locked away their grandmother's old diary, preserving its privacy and sentimental value.