lock arms
To link arms (with someone else) very tightly and securely. We were able to prevent the bulldozer from advancing by forming a circle around the old tree and locking arms. In the schoolyard game red rover, you have to lock arms with the people on either side of you so that the other team's players can't break through.
lock arms with (someone)
To link arms with someone else very tightly and securely. We were able to prevent the bulldozer from advancing by forming a circle around the old tree and locking arms with each other. In Red Rover, you have to lock arms with the people on either side of you so that the other team's players can't break through.
lock away
1. To lock something in a container or storage space. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "away." It's very important that dangerous cleaning products are locked away when your children start crawling around the house. I locked our valuables away in a wall-mounted safe before we left for our vacation.
2. To incarcerate someone in some place, especially prison, indefinitely or for a very long time. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "away." I hope they lock that crazy drunk driver away—he nearly killed me! In the old days, they'd lock you away for showing the symptoms of schizophrenia.
3. To isolate oneself from others; to shut oneself off from social contact. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "lock" and "away." I absolutely need to study before my big exam on Monday, so I'm going to lock myself away for the weekend.
lock down
In each usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "down."
1. To secure something in place. Please tell me you locked down the surfboards and that that loud thud wasn't them falling off the roof of the car. We need to lock the timber down so that it doesn't get blown away in the storm.
2. To secure something so that others cannot access or alter it. That's it, I'm locking down my Netflix account. Your bizarre taste is totally messing with my suggestions! I suggest locking your computer down with a very strong password.
3. To require someone to stay in some place for a certain period of time, typically until the risk of something has been removed or alleviated. The police are keeping us locked down in our homes until the armed criminal in our neighborhood has been caught. Local officials locked us down while they investigated the small plane crash a few blocks away. Lock down all the inmates while we find out what tripped the alarm.
4. To confirm and set something, as to avoid future changes or renegotiations. Ten million dollars is definitely an amount we can accept. Now we just need to lock down this settlement before they change their minds.
5. To assert control of a situation so that one's competition is not able to regain an advantage. Used especially in reference to sports. The football team's offense has secured a 21–14 lead. Now their defense just needs to lock it down.
6. slang To marry someone. Bridget's gorgeous, funny, smart—a total catch. You better lock that girl down now while you have the chance!
lock horns
To fight or clash. There's always tension between those two—they lock horns over everything.
lock horns with (one)
To get into a fight, argument, or conflict with one. Tom locked horns with some jerk at the bar, and they ended up giving each other black eyes! Bill keeps locking horns with me over these budget cuts. The governor is expected to lock horns with state senators over the proposal.
lock in
1. To physically lock or trap someone or something inside a particular place or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "in." The doorknob came right off in my hand, so I'm stuck outside while the kids are locked in the house!
2. To commit someone or something to a contract. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "in." If you sign that contract, you'll be locked into your lease for two years. The pushy sales guy tried to lock me into a contract.
3. To secure particular terms for the length of a contract or other such agreement. Call the cable company and see if you can lock in a lower rate.
4. To be involved in a fight or struggle. If those two get locked in on politics, that's all we're going to hear all night long.
5. To focus on something. Oh, I locked in on that delicious cake the minute I stepped into the party!
lock in on (someone or something)
1. To use an electronic tracking system to fix onto a particular person or thing. Once the satellite locks in on the rocket's signal, we should be able to triangulate its precise location. With proton beam therapy, we lock in on the cancerous cells and deliver radiation only to the affected tissue.
2. To fix the electronic tracking system onto a particular person or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lock" and "in on." The fighter pilot locked his missiles in on the enemy jet. We should be able to lock our homing system in on Jeff's tracking unit.
3. To focus one's gaze or attention completely on someone or something. She locked in on the handsome guy across the bar, making her way over to talk to him. Once she locks in on a new project, there's no getting in his way.
lock lips (with someone)
To kiss (someone) passionately and at length. I'll never forget locking lips with my wife for the very first time. OK, you two, quit locking lips—our train is about leave.
lock on (to) (someone or something)
1. To become able to automatically track and target someone or something. We've locked on the enemy ship, sir. Permission to fire? The fighter jet had locked on to us, so there was no option except to eject.
2. To fix one's gaze on or stare intensely at someone or something. He locked on to a wealthy businessman on the other side of the bar who looked like the perfect target for his scam.
3. To fasten, attach, or grab onto someone or something, especially with great speed or intensity. He locked on to the suitcase and refused to let go. My son locked on to my leg when the man came up to talk to us.
lock onto (someone or something)
1. To use an electronic tracking system to fix onto a particular person or thing. Once the satellite locks onto the rocket's signal, we should be able to triangulate its precise location. With proton beam therapy, we lock onto the cancerous cells and deliver radiation only to the affected tissue.
2. To fix the electronic tracking system onto a particular person or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lock" and "into." The fighter pilot locked his missiles onto the enemy jet. We should be able to lock our homing system onto Jeff's tracking unit.
3. To focus one's gaze or attention completely on someone or something. She locked onto the handsome guy across the bar, making her way over to talk to him. Once she locks onto a new project, there's no getting in his way.
lock out
1. To lock the doors or other entrances into some building or so that someone or something is unable to enter from the outside. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "out." I can't believe she locked me out of the house, just because I drunkenly kissed some girl at the bar! The car comes with a new feature that makes it impossible to lock yourself out. The factory was shuttered overnight, the owners having locked out all of the employees.
2. To prevent employees from coming to work or performing their duties during a labor dispute. The factory gates were chained shut, a clear sign to the workers that the owners had locked them all out. All electricians in the union will be locked out of further work until the dispute has been resolved.
lock the barn door after the horse has bolted
To try to prevent or rectify a problem after the damage has already been done. My father quit smoking after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, but I'm afraid he's locking the barn door after the horse has bolted.
lock the barn door after the horse is stolen
To try to prevent or rectify a problem after the damage has already been done. My father quit smoking after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, but I'm afraid he's locking the barn door after the horse is stolen.
lock the stable door after the horse has bolted
To try to prevent or rectify a problem after the damage has already been done. My father quit smoking after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, but I'm afraid he's locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.
lock the stable door after the horse is stolen
To try to prevent or rectify a problem after the damage has already been done. My father quit smoking after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, but I'm afraid he's locking the stable door after the horse is stolen.
lock up
1. To lock something in a container or storage space. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "up." It's very important that dangerous cleaning products are locked up when your children start crawling around the house. I locked our valuables up in a wall-mounted safe before we left for our vacation.
2. To incarcerate someone in some place, especially prison, indefinitely or for a very long time. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "up." I hope they lock that crazy drunk driver up—he nearly killed me! In the old days, they'd lock you up for showing the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
lock horns
Become embroiled in conflict, as in At the town meeting Kate and Steve locked horns over increasing the property tax. This expression alludes to how stags and bulls use their horns to fight one another. [First half of 1800s]
lock in
1. Enclose, surround, as in The ship was completely locked in ice. [c. 1400s]
2. Also, lock into. Fix firmly in position, commit to something. This phrase often occurs as be locked in or into , as in She felt she was locked in a binding agreement, or Many of the stockholders are locked into their present positions. [Mid-1900s]
lock out
1. Keep out, prevent from entering. For example, Karen was so angry at her brother that she locked him out of the house. [Late 1500s] Shakespeare had it in The Comedy of Errors (4:1): "For locking me out of my doors by day."
2. Withhold work from employees during a labor dispute, as in The company threatened to lock out the strikers permanently. [Mid-1800s]
lock the barn door after the horse has bolted
Also, lock the stable door after the horse is stolen. Take precautions after damage has occurred. For example, After the burglary they installed an alarm system, but it's locking the barn door, or Deciding to negotiate now after they've been fired-that's a matter of locking the stable door after the horse is stolen . These expressions of action that is useless because it comes too late have long been proverbs in many languages and first appeared in English in the mid-1300s.
lock up
1. Close a house or place of work, fastening all the doors and windows, as in The attendant locks up at eleven o'clock every night, or Did you remind Abby to lock up? [Late 1500s]
2. Invest in something not easily converted into cash, as in Most of their assets were locked up in real estate. [Late 1600s]
3. lock someone up. Confine or imprison someone, as in The princes were locked up in the Tower of London. [c. 1300]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.