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."
separable
lock away
B1 neutral separable transitive
To secure something in a locked place, or to imprison someone for a long time.
In plain English
To put something in a locked place to keep it safe or hidden, or to send someone to prison.
What does "lock away" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place something inside a locked space and keep it away from others — 'away' implies distance and inaccessibility.
Actually means
To put something in a locked place to keep it safe or hidden, or to send someone to prison.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "lock away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
valuables documents criminal memories feelings secret
How to conjugate "lock away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "lock away" in the wild
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Other ways to say "lock away"
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Keep exploring
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