The phrase "lock (sth) up" is a phrasal verb that has multiple meanings depending on its context. Here is a 200-word dictionary definition covering its most common usages:
Lock (sth) up:
1. To secure or fasten something tightly with a key or lock mechanism, thereby preventing access or unauthorized use. Example: "He locked up the house before leaving for vacation."
2. To place someone or something inside a secure enclosure or facility, with restricted access. It can refer to detaining individuals in a jail, prison, or a mental health institution, or confining objects in a safe or vault. Example: "The police arrested the suspect and locked him up in the county jail."
3. To store or keep something securely in a designated place, often for safekeeping or protection. Example: "She locked up her jewelry in a hidden safe."
4. To finalize or conclude a business deal or agreement, typically involving negotiations and legally binding terms. Example: "The lawyers worked tirelessly to lock up the merger contract."
5. To completely immobilize or render inoperable a piece of machinery, device, or system. Example: "The computer froze, and it locked up, requiring a restart."
In each of these instances, "lock (sth) up" generally conveys the idea of securing, confining, or making something inaccessible or unusable through the use of locks, closures, or other means of restraint.
