1 C1 neutral
To move a boat through a canal lock, raising or lowering it to match the water level on the other side.
"It took about twenty minutes to lock through at Foxton before we could continue down the canal."
inseparable
lock through
C1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To guide a boat or vessel through a canal lock by operating the lock gates.
In plain English
To move a boat through a special gate system on a canal that raises or lowers the water level.
What does "lock through" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
To allow a vessel to pass through a lock (said from the perspective of the lock operator).
"The lock keeper locked us through quickly because there were no other boats waiting."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pass through by means of a lock (a water-level-controlling gate system).
Actually means
To move a boat through a special gate system on a canal that raises or lowers the water level.
Usage tip
Primarily a nautical/canal term used in British English among boating enthusiasts and waterway professionals. Rarely encountered outside this specific context.
Words that pair with "lock through"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
boat barge canal vessel narrowboat waterway
How to conjugate "lock through"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
lock through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
locks through
he/she/it
Past simple
locked through
yesterday
Past participle
locked through
have + pp
-ing form
locking through
continuous
Hear "lock through" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "lock through" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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