lock
♦ lock /l'ɒk/ (locks locking locked)
1 [VERB] V n, V-ed
When you lock something such as a door, drawer, or case, you fasten it, usually with a key, so that other people cannot open it.
Are you sure you locked the front door?...
Wolfgang moved along the corridor towards the locked door at the end.
2 [N-COUNT]
The lock on something such as a door or a drawer is the device which is used to keep it shut and prevent other people from opening it. Locks are opened with a key.
At that moment he heard Gill's key turning in the lock of the door...
An intruder forced open a lock on French windows at the house.
3 [VERB] V n in/into n, V n in/into n
If you lock something or someone in a place, room, or container, you put them there and fasten the lock.
Her maid locked the case in the safe...
They beat them up and locked them in a cell.
4 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V prep/adv
If you lock something in a particular position or if it lock there, it is held or fitted firmly in that position.
He leaned back in the swivel chair and locked his fingers behind his head...
There was a whine of hydraulics as the undercarriage locked into position.
5 [N-COUNT]
On a canal or river, a lock is a place where walls have been built with gates at each end so that boats can move to a higher or lower section of the canal or river, by gradually changing the water level inside the gates.
6 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A lock of hair is a small bunch of hairs on your head that grow together and curl or curve in the same direction.
She brushed a lock of hair off his forehead.
7
lock, stock, and barrel: see barrelcom|bi|na|tion lock (combination locks)
[N-COUNT]
A combination lock is a lock which can only be opened by turning a dial or a number of dials according to a particular series of letters or numbers.
...a briefcase with combination locks.lock away
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you lock something away in a place or container, you put or hide it there and fasten the lock.
She meticulously cleaned the gun and locked it away in its case...
He had even locked away all the videos of his previous exploits.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, also V P n (not pron)
To lock someone away means to put them in prison or a secure mental hospital.
Locking them away is not sufficient, you have to give them treatment.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V pron-refl P
If you lock yourself away, you go somewhere where you can be alone, and do not come out or see anyone for some time.
I locked myself away with books and magazines.
= hide away, shut awaylock in
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If you lock someone in, you put them in a room and lock the door so that they cannot get out.
Manda cried out that Mr Hoelt had no right to lock her in.lock out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P of n, V n P
If someone locks you out of a place, they prevent you entering it by locking the doors.
They had had a row, and she had locked him out of the apartment...
My husband's locked me out.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V pron-refl P of n, V pron-refl P, V-ed P
If you lock yourself out of a place, such as your house, you cannot get in because the door is locked and you do not have your keys.
The new tenants locked themselves out of their apartment and had to break in...
There had been a knock at the door and when she opened it she locked herself out...
The wind had made the door swing closed, and she was now locked out.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
In an industrial dispute, if a company locks its workers out, it closes the factory or office in order to prevent the employees coming to work. (BUSINESS)
The company locked out the workers, and then the rest of the work force went on strike.lock up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you lock something up in a place or container, you put or hide it there and fasten the lock.
Give away any food you have on hand, or lock it up and give the key to the neighbours...
Control of materials could be maintained by locking up bombs.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
To lock someone up means to put them in prison or a secure psychiatric hospital.
Mr Milner persuaded the federal prosecutors not to lock up his client...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V n P
When you lock up a building or car or lock up, you make sure that all the doors and windows are locked so that nobody can get in.
Don't forget to lock up...
Leave your car here and lock it up.mor|tice lock /m'ɔːrtɪs lɒk/ (mortice locks)
also mortise lock
[N-COUNT]
A mortice lock is a type of lock which fits into a hole cut into the edge of a door rather than being fixed to one side of it.mor|tise lock /m'ɔːrtɪs lɒk/
see mortice lock
1 [VERB] V n, V-ed
When you lock something such as a door, drawer, or case, you fasten it, usually with a key, so that other people cannot open it.
Are you sure you locked the front door?...
Wolfgang moved along the corridor towards the locked door at the end.
2 [N-COUNT]
The lock on something such as a door or a drawer is the device which is used to keep it shut and prevent other people from opening it. Locks are opened with a key.
At that moment he heard Gill's key turning in the lock of the door...
An intruder forced open a lock on French windows at the house.
3 [VERB] V n in/into n, V n in/into n
If you lock something or someone in a place, room, or container, you put them there and fasten the lock.
Her maid locked the case in the safe...
They beat them up and locked them in a cell.
4 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V prep/adv
If you lock something in a particular position or if it lock there, it is held or fitted firmly in that position.
He leaned back in the swivel chair and locked his fingers behind his head...
There was a whine of hydraulics as the undercarriage locked into position.
5 [N-COUNT]
On a canal or river, a lock is a place where walls have been built with gates at each end so that boats can move to a higher or lower section of the canal or river, by gradually changing the water level inside the gates.
6 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A lock of hair is a small bunch of hairs on your head that grow together and curl or curve in the same direction.
She brushed a lock of hair off his forehead.
7
lock, stock, and barrel: see barrelcom|bi|na|tion lock (combination locks)
[N-COUNT]
A combination lock is a lock which can only be opened by turning a dial or a number of dials according to a particular series of letters or numbers.
...a briefcase with combination locks.lock away
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you lock something away in a place or container, you put or hide it there and fasten the lock.
She meticulously cleaned the gun and locked it away in its case...
He had even locked away all the videos of his previous exploits.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, also V P n (not pron)
To lock someone away means to put them in prison or a secure mental hospital.
Locking them away is not sufficient, you have to give them treatment.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V pron-refl P
If you lock yourself away, you go somewhere where you can be alone, and do not come out or see anyone for some time.
I locked myself away with books and magazines.
= hide away, shut awaylock in
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If you lock someone in, you put them in a room and lock the door so that they cannot get out.
Manda cried out that Mr Hoelt had no right to lock her in.lock out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P of n, V n P
If someone locks you out of a place, they prevent you entering it by locking the doors.
They had had a row, and she had locked him out of the apartment...
My husband's locked me out.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V pron-refl P of n, V pron-refl P, V-ed P
If you lock yourself out of a place, such as your house, you cannot get in because the door is locked and you do not have your keys.
The new tenants locked themselves out of their apartment and had to break in...
There had been a knock at the door and when she opened it she locked herself out...
The wind had made the door swing closed, and she was now locked out.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
In an industrial dispute, if a company locks its workers out, it closes the factory or office in order to prevent the employees coming to work. (BUSINESS)
The company locked out the workers, and then the rest of the work force went on strike.lock up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you lock something up in a place or container, you put or hide it there and fasten the lock.
Give away any food you have on hand, or lock it up and give the key to the neighbours...
Control of materials could be maintained by locking up bombs.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
To lock someone up means to put them in prison or a secure psychiatric hospital.
Mr Milner persuaded the federal prosecutors not to lock up his client...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V n P
When you lock up a building or car or lock up, you make sure that all the doors and windows are locked so that nobody can get in.
Don't forget to lock up...
Leave your car here and lock it up.mor|tice lock /m'ɔːrtɪs lɒk/ (mortice locks)
also mortise lock
[N-COUNT]
A mortice lock is a type of lock which fits into a hole cut into the edge of a door rather than being fixed to one side of it.mor|tise lock /m'ɔːrtɪs lɒk/
see mortice lock