Browse all

lock away

B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To put something in a locked place to keep it safe or hidden, or to send someone to prison.

Literal meaning: To place something inside a locked space and keep it away from others — 'away' implies distance and inaccessibility.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To put something in a locked container or room to keep it safe or out of reach.

"She locked her jewellery away in the safe before going on holiday."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To send someone to prison or a secure institution for a long period.

"The judge locked him away for twenty years."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral

To suppress or hide feelings, memories, or thoughts, refusing to let them surface.

"He had locked his grief away for years, refusing to talk about it."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The literal sense (securing valuables) is common in everyday use. The figurative sense (imprisoning a person) is often used in informal and journalistic language. Can also refer to suppressing emotions or memories.

Commonly used with

valuables documents criminal memories feelings secret

Forms

Base
lock away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
locks away
he/she/it
Past simple
locked away
yesterday
Past participle
locked away
have + pp
-ing form
locking away
continuous

Understand "lock away" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

secure store safely imprison put under lock and key confine shut away

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "lock away" on Looplines