Word: Lock Up
Definition: "Lock up" is a verb that means to put something in a place where it cannot be taken out or to keep someone in a place where they cannot escape. For example, if you lock something in a box, it means you close the box in a way that no one can open it without a key.
Usage Instructions: You can use "lock up" when talking about securing things or people for safety or to prevent them from leaving. It’s often used in both everyday situations and more serious contexts.
Examples: 1. Everyday Use: “Please lock up the house before you go on vacation.” (This means to make sure all doors and windows are securely closed and locked.) 2. Serious Context: “The police decided to lock up the suspect until the trial.” (This means the police put the person in jail so they cannot leave.)
Advanced Usage: In a more figurative sense, "lock up" can imply restricting freedom or preventing access to something. For example: - “The company decided to lock up their trade secrets to avoid competitors stealing their ideas.”
Word Variants: - Locked Up (past tense): "She locked up her valuables in a safe." - Locking Up (present participle): "He is locking up the store for the night."
Different Meanings: 1. Physical Security: To secure physical items or places (like a house or a safe). 2. Imprisonment: To confine people, such as in jail.
Synonyms: - Secure - Confine - Enclose - Fasten
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - "Lock in": This means to make a decision or agreement that cannot easily be changed. - Example: “We need to lock in the prices before they go up.”
Summary: "Lock up" is a versatile verb used to describe the action of securing something or someone. It can be used in both casual and serious contexts, and it has related expressions that expand its meaning.