How Do You Spell LOCK UP?

Pronunciation: [lˈɒk ˈʌp] (IPA)

The spelling of the phrase "lock up" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first word "lock" is pronounced /lɒk/, with the "o" making a short "ah" sound. The second word "up" is pronounced /ʌp/, with a short "uh" sound followed by a "p" sound. Together, the phrase means to secure something in a locked position. It is commonly used to refer to locking doors or possessions in a safe or secure location.

LOCK UP Meaning and Definition

  1. Lock up (phrasal verb):

    1. To secure or fasten something firmly with a lock or other means to prevent it from being opened or accessed. It typically refers to the action of securing a door, gate, or container.

    Example: "Please lock up the house before leaving to ensure its security."

    2. To detain someone or something in a closed or confined space, often against their will.

    Example: "The police will lock up any individuals who are found to be engaging in criminal activities."

    3. To place someone in a prison or jail, keeping them confined for a period of time as a punishment or for legal reasons.

    Example: "The judge decided to lock up the convicted criminal for ten years."

    4. To invest or tie up funds, assets, or resources, making them unavailable or inaccessible for other purposes.

    Example: "The company decided to lock up its profits to reinvest them in research and development."

    5. To become stiff or immobile due to muscle cramps, injury, or paralysis.

    Example: "After a long day of physical activity, his legs would often lock up, causing considerable discomfort."

    Overall, lock up can refer to the act of securing something with a lock, detaining or imprisoning someone, restricting access to assets, or experiencing muscle stiffness.

  2. A temporary prison; dead-lock, a complication or counteraction of things producing an entire stoppage.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for LOCK UP

  • pock up
  • oock up
  • lkck up
  • llck up
  • lpck up
  • l0ck up
  • l9ck up
  • loxk up
  • lovk up
  • lofk up
  • lodk up
  • locj up
  • locm up
  • locl up
  • loco up
  • loci up
  • lock yp
  • lock hp
  • lock jp

Etymology of LOCK UP

The term "lock up" has a straightforward etymology. It is derived from the combination of the noun "lock" and the particle "up".

The noun "lock" originates from the Old English word "loc", which referred to a device used for fastening or securing something. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "lukaz". The original meaning of "lock" was a mechanism to keep doors, chests, or other structures firmly closed.

The particle "up" is a versatile English word that adds the sense of action or completion to certain verbs. In the case of "lock up", it emphasizes the act of securing something completely.

Therefore, the etymology of "lock up" simply expresses the action of fastening or securing something completely.

Idioms with the word LOCK UP

  • lock up To lock up means to securely close or secure a building, room, or other space by locking the door or gates. It can also refer to imprisoning or confining someone or something.

Similar spelling words for LOCK UP

Conjugate verb Lock up

CONDITIONAL

I would lock up
you would lock up
he/she/it would lock up
we would lock up
they would lock up

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be locking up
you would be locking up
he/she/it would be locking up
we would be locking up
they would be locking up

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have lock up
you would have lock up
he/she/it would have lock up
we would have lock up
they would have lock up

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been locking up
you would have been locking up
he/she/it would have been locking up
we would have been locking up
they would have been locking up

FUTURE

I will lock up
you will lock up
he/she/it will lock up
we will lock up
they will lock up

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be locking up
you will be locking up
he/she/it will be locking up
we will be locking up
they will be locking up

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have locked up
you will have locked up
he/she/it will have locked up
we will have locked up
they will have locked up

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been locking up
you will have been locking up
he/she/it will have been locking up
we will have been locking up
they will have been locking up

IMPERATIVE

you lock up
we let´s lock up

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to lock up

PAST

I locked up
you locked up
he/she/it locked up
we locked up
they locked up

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was locking up
you were locking up
he/she/it was locking up
we were locking up
they were locking up

PAST PARTICIPLE

locked up

PAST PERFECT

I had locked up
you had locked up
he/she/it had locked up
we had locked up
they had locked up

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been locking up
you had been locking up
he/she/it had been locking up
we had been locking up
they had been locking up

PRESENT

I lock up
you lock up
he/she/it locks up
we lock up
they lock up

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am locking up
you are locking up
he/she/it is locking up
we are locking up
they are locking up

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

locking up

PRESENT PERFECT

I have locked up
you have locked up
he/she/it has locked up
we have locked up
they have locked up

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been locking up
you have been locking up
he/she/it has been locking up
we have been locking up
they have been locking up

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