Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

lock up

/ˌlɒk ˈʌp/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.50 in modern English

Syllables: lock- up
IPA: /ˌlɒk ˈʌp/

14

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To imprison or incarcerate (someone).

Transitive verb

verb

To put (something) away in a locked location for safekeeping; (occasionally, chiefly humorously) to sequester (a person) in a similar way.

Transitive verb

verb

To close (and often lock) all doors and windows (of a place) securely.

Intransitive verb

verb

To lock (a door, window, etc.).

Transitive verb

verb

To cease responding.

Intransitive verb

verb

To cause (a program) to cease responding or to freeze.

Transitive verb

verb

To stop moving; to seize.

Intransitive verb

verb

To stop moving; to seize.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"In 1970, a new era of "getting tough" on young offenders really began to gather momentum with the incoming Conservative government. The number of juveniles locked up each year increased by 500% between 1965 and 1980."
"Please lock up all valuables in the safe before leaving."
"Angus is back in town! Better lock up your daughters, your wife, and your sheep!"
"That door still needs to be locked up."
"When I press this button, the program locks up."
"If your password contains a particular string of letters, entering it can lock up the login form."

Etymology

From lock + up.

Usage

Inflected Forms

locks up (present, singular) locking up (participle, present) locked up (participle, past) locked up (past)

Derived Forms

lockup

Phrases

lock someone up and throw away the key lock-up

Frequently Paired Words

lockaway lock down

Synonyms

send away shut away freeze freeze up hang hang up lock in lock away lock put away shut up

Antonyms

lock down

Questions

How do you pronounce lock up?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌlɒk ˈʌp/.
What does lock up mean?: To imprison or incarcerate (someone).
Where does lock up come from?: From lock + up.

How to pronounce lock up

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “lock up”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌlɒk ˈʌp/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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