lock

lock1 [ lak ] verb ***

1. ) transitive to fasten something such as a door or a container, usually with a key, so that other people cannot open it:

John went out and locked the door behind him.

Have you locked the car?

lock something in something: She locked the documents in the safe.

a ) intransitive to become fastened with a lock:

The door slammed and locked.

This drawer won't lock.

2. ) intransitive if something locks in a particular position, it is firmly fixed or held in that position:

The brakes locked and the car spun off the road.

a ) transitive to lock or fix something firmly in a particular position:

He locked his arms around her waist.

3. ) transitive COMPUTING to prevent information on a computer from being changed or looked at by someone who does not have permission:

All entries are locked so no unauthorized modifications can be made.

4. ) intransitive or transitive LITERARY if two people's eyes lock, they look directly into each other's eyes

locked in an embrace

holding each other tightly:

They were locked in a loving embrace.

locked in (a) battle/debate/dispute/negotiations etc.

involved in a fight, discussion, or argument that lasts a long time:

The two sides were locked in fierce debate over the proposed merger deal.

lock horns (with)

to become involved in something such as a fight or competition with someone:

Two of the NBA's top teams will lock horns with each other tomorrow.

,lock a`way phrasal verb transitive

1. ) lock away or lock up to put something in a place or container which you fasten with a lock:

Valuable items should be locked away.

2. ) lock away or lock up to put someone in a prison, or a hospital for mentally ill people:

After the murder he was locked away for 50 years.

3. ) lock yourself away to go somewhere where you can be alone:

James locked himself away in his bedroom.

,lock `in phrasal verb transitive

to put someone in a room and lock the door so they cannot leave:

You can't keep me locked in.

She went to her hotel room and locked herself in.

lock in profits/gains etc.

to get a lasting financial benefit, for example by selling STOCKS that have gone up in value before they can go back down

,lock `into phrasal verb transitive

lock someone/something into something to involve someone or something in a system, plan, etc. in such a way that they cannot easily escape from it:

The currency is now locked into the European Monetary System.

Their strategy is to lock subscribers into long-term contracts.

,lock `out phrasal verb transitive

1. ) if a company locks out its workers, it closes their place of work so that they cannot go to work until they agree to the employer's conditions

2. ) to prevent someone from coming into a room or building by locking the door:

She locked him out of the house after an argument.

I locked myself out again could I use your phone?

,lock `up phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive to lock all the doors and windows of a building so that no one can get in:

I locked up and went to bed.

The last person to leave locks up the store.

2. ) transitive same as LOCK AWAY 1:

The documents were locked up.

3. ) transitive same as LOCK AWAY 2:

He was locked up for 12 years for armed robbery.

lock

lock 2 [ lak ] noun **

▸ 1 for preventing opening

▸ 2 hair or group of hairs

▸ 3 hold in fighting

▸ 4 gates on river/canal

▸ 5 in computing

▸ 6 in rugby

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) count a part of a door, drawer, suitcase, etc. used for fastening it so that no one can open it. You usually open and close locks with a key, but if you pick a lock, you use something else to open it illegally.:

He slowly turned the key in the lock.

All the windows were equipped with locks.

a ) a piece of equipment used for preventing someone from using a vehicle, machine, etc.:

Use a steering-wheel lock for your car.

b ) under lock and key in a room or container which is fastened with a lock:

These files should be kept under lock and key.

2. ) locks plural LITERARY hair:

her flowing golden locks

a ) a lock of hair a small piece of hair from someone's head:

She cut off a lock of his hair and put it under her pillow.

3. ) count a way of holding someone so that they cannot move when you are fighting

4. ) count a place on a river or CANAL with a set of gates which open and close to allow boats in. The water can then be moved to a lower or higher level.

5. ) count something that prevents information on a computer from being changed or looked at by someone who does not have permission

6. ) count in RUGBY, a player in the second row of the SCRUM

have/get a lock on something

to have/get total control of something or understand it completely:

Both factions thought they had a lock on the latest trend.

lock, stock, and barrel

including every part of a particular thing, situation, place, etc.:

They bought out the business lock, stock, and barrel.