1 B1 neutral
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."
separable
lock out
B1 neutral separable transitive
To prevent someone from entering a building or system by locking the door or access point, or (in labour relations) to prevent workers from entering their workplace.
In plain English
To stop someone from getting inside somewhere by locking the entrance.
What does "lock out" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
(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."
separable
3 B2 neutral
(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."
separable
4 B2 idiomatic neutral
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To lock a door so that someone on the outside cannot get in — 'out' indicates exclusion.
Actually means
To stop someone from getting inside somewhere by locking the entrance.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "lock out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
house car account workers employees system
How to conjugate "lock out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
lock out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
locks out
he/she/it
Past simple
locked out
yesterday
Past participle
locked out
have + pp
-ing form
locking out
continuous
Hear "lock out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "lock out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "lock out"
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Keep exploring
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