The phrase "locked away" is spelled using the American English phonetic transcription system as /lɑkt əˈweɪ/. The first sound in "locked" is a voiceless alveolar stop (/k/), followed by a voiced velar stop (/g/) and finally a voiceless alveolar fricative (/t/). The second word, "away," is pronounced with a rounded open-mid back vowel (/ɔ/) and a voiced labial glide (/w/), followed by a diphthong consisting of an unrounded open-mid front vowel (/e/) and a glottal stop (/ʔ/). Together, these sounds make up the pronunciation of the phrase "locked away."
Locked away can be defined as something or someone being confined or inaccessible, typically by being secured or hidden behind a lock or in a confined space. When an item or object is locked away, it means that it is safely stored or hidden, usually to prevent theft, damage, or unauthorized access.
Similarly, when someone is locked away, it refers to their isolation or imprisonment, often against their will. This can occur in various contexts, such as being locked away in a prison cell or being secluded due to a mental or emotional condition. In these instances, individuals are physically or emotionally separated from the outside world and kept from freely interacting with others.
The phrase "locked away" can also have a metaphorical meaning, indicating that something is concealed or buried deep within someone's mind or emotions. This may be related to repressed memories, buried traumas, or hidden emotions that an individual has locked away as a defense mechanism against pain or vulnerability.
Overall, "locked away" refers to the act of keeping something or someone confined, whether physically or metaphorically, ensuring its safety or preventing its access until a specific time, event, or condition is met.
The word "locked" derives from the Old English word "loccian", which means "to enclose, fasten with a lock". The term "away" comes from the Middle English word "aweigh", which indicates a motion or distance from a particular place or state. When combined, "locked away" suggests the action of securing something with a lock and removing it to a distant or secluded place.