chain up
1. To bind or otherwise restrict the movement of a person or animal with chains. A noun or pronoun can be used between "chain" and "up." That poor dog is always chained up in the back yard. The guard chained the prisoner up before having him board the transport. It turned out that the suspect had kidnapped the girl and chained her up in his basement.
2. To securely close a room or building. A noun or pronoun can be used between "chain" and "up." Be sure to chain up the office if you're the last one to leave today. Wow, you really chained up the house when you left, huh? I needed three different keys to get in! Val should be here in the next few minutes, so don't worry about chaining things up if you have to leave.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
chain someone (or an animal) up
to bind someone or an animal in chains. We will have to chain him up until the police get here. Please chain up your dog.
chain something up
to lock or secure a door or gate with chains. Please chain the gate up again when you come through. Yes, chain up the gate.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.