Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

lock

1 verb
     
Related topics: Motor Vehicles
lock1 S2 W3
1

fasten something

[intransitive and transitive] to fasten something, usually with a key, so that other people cannot open it. or to be fastened like this:
Did you lock the car?
I can't get this drawer to lock.
 ➔ see usage note close1
2

keep in a safe place

[transitive always + adverb/preposition] to put something in a place and fasten the door, lid etc with a key
lock something in something
Lock the cat in the kitchen.
3

fixed position

[intransitive and transitive]TTC to become fixed in one position and impossible to move, or to make something become fixed:
The wheels suddenly locked.
lock something around/round something
He locked his hands around the younger man's throat.
A moment later they were locked in an embrace (=holding each other very tightly in a loving or friendly way).
Their eyes locked together (=they could not look away from each other) for an instant.
4

fixed situation

[transitive usually passive] if you are locked in a situation, you cannot get out of it
be locked in/into something
The two groups are locked in a vicious cycle of killing.
The company is locked into a five year contract.
5

be locked in battle/combat/dispute etc

to be involved in a long, serious argument or fight with someone:
They are now locked in a bitter custody battle over the three children.
6

lock arms

if people lock arms, they join their arms tightly with the arms of the people on either side:
The police locked arms to form a barrier against the protesters.
7

lock horns (with somebody)

to argue or fight with someone:
The band have now locked horns with their record company over the album.
—lockable adjective

lock somebody/something ↔ away

phrasal verb
1 to put something in a safe place and lock the door, lid etc [= lock up]:
He locked his money away in the safe.
2 to put someone in prison [= lock up]:
I hope they lock him away for years.
3

lock yourself away

to keep yourself separate from other people by staying in your room, office etc

lock in

phrasal verb
1

lock somebody in (something)

to prevent someone from leaving a room or building by locking the door:
She locked herself in.
They locked the director in his office.
2

lock something ↔ in

to do something so that a price, offer, agreement etc cannot be changed:
Sell your stocks now to lock in some of the gains of recent months.
3

lock something ↔ in

to make the taste, liquid etc remain in something:
This method of cooking locks in the flavour of the meat.

lock onto something

phrasal verb
PMW if a missile or satellite locks onto a target or signal, it finds it and follows it closely

lock somebody ↔ out

phrasal verb
1 to keep someone out of a place by locking the door
lock somebody ↔ out of
I locked myself out of the house!
2 if employers lock workers out, they do not let them enter their place of work until they accept the employers' conditions for settling a disagreement

lock up

phrasal verb
1 to make a building safe by locking the doors, especially at night:
I'll leave you to lock up.
lock something ↔ up
Don't forget to lock up the warehouse.
2

lock something ↔ up

to put something in a safe place and lock the door, lid etc [= lock away]
3

lock somebody ↔ up

to put someone in prison [= lock away]:
Rapists should be locked up.
4

be locked up (in something)

if your money is locked up, you have put it into a business, investment etc and cannot easily move it or use it
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:

close, shut, lock, turn/switch offIn many contexts, the verbs close and shut can be used in exactly the same way • Please close OR shut the gate. • The windows were all closed OR shut. • She closed OR shut her eyes. • The store closes OR shuts at 7.!! Use close for a road, border, or airport • All the crossing points on the border have been closed (NOT shut).!! Before a noun, use closed • a closed door (NOT shut door)!! You cannot say 'close someone somewhere'. Use shut or lock to say that someone is put in a room or building and cannot get out • They shut her (NOT closed her) in her bedroom. • He was locked (NOT closed) in a cell.Use switch off or turn off with electrical things • Will you turn off (NOT close) the TV? • I switched off (NOT closed) all the lights. ➔ See also close
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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