lock up - Definition & Meaning | VisualLang Dictionary

lock up

to close or secure something in a place where it cannot be removed or accessed without the appropriate authorization, key, or combinationto close or secure something in a place where it cannot be removed or accessed without the appropriate authorization, key, or combination

Examples

He remembered to lock the house up before leaving for vacation.
The scientist locked up the dangerous chemicals in a secure laboratory.
The store owner locked up the valuables in the safe.

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lock up

Third Person

locks up

Present Participle

locking up

Past Tense

locked up

Past Participle

locked up

1

to close or secure something in a place where it cannot be removed or accessed without the appropriate authorization, key, or combination

He remembered to lock the house up before leaving for vacation.
The scientist locked up the dangerous chemicals in a secure laboratory.
The store owner locked up the valuables in the safe.
The individual locked up their personal belongings in a storage locker.
The librarian locked the rare books up in a special archive.

2

to confine a person in a place, such as a prison, where they cannot escape without one's permission

The police locked up the suspect in the detention center.
The judge ordered the defendant to be locked up in the jail pending their trial.
The police locked up the suspect in the jail cell to await trial.
The authorities locked up the dissidents in a maximum-security prison.
The government locked political prisoners up without trial.

Synonyms:

lock in lock away lock shut up shut away put away