lock out
To stop someone from getting inside somewhere by locking the entrance.
Meanings
To accidentally or deliberately prevent someone from entering a building by locking the door.
"I locked myself out of the flat and had to call a locksmith."
(Labour relations) For an employer to prevent workers from entering their workplace during a dispute.
"Management locked out the workers after contract negotiations broke down."
(Computing) To deny access to an account or system, typically after too many failed login attempts.
"The system locked her out after three incorrect password entries."
To deliberately exclude a person or group from a process, opportunity, or benefit.
"Rising house prices have locked many young people out of the property market."
Has an important specific meaning in labour relations: an employer 'lockout' means refusing employees access during a dispute. In everyday use, very common for accidentally locking yourself out of your house. Also used in computing for account lockouts after failed login attempts.
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Forms
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Synonyms
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