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lock in

B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To fix something firmly so it cannot be changed, or to trap someone inside a locked place.

Literal meaning: To lock someone or something inside so they cannot leave — 'in' implies containment and fixedness.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic neutral

To secure a fixed price, rate, or agreement that cannot be changed later.

"You should lock in that mortgage rate before it goes up again."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To confine someone in a locked space so they cannot leave.

"He accidentally locked himself in the shed and had to wait an hour to be let out."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral

To commit a customer or partner to a long-term contract or relationship, making it difficult to leave.

"The subscription service was designed to lock users in through penalty fees for early cancellation."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Very common in finance (locking in an interest rate), business (locking in a customer), and sports commentary (locking in a position). The physical sense (trapping someone) is less common.

Commonly used with

rate price deal customer position savings

Forms

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

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Synonyms

secure guarantee fix seal confirm commit to

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