lock in
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle in
Meanings
Confine by locking
Why “in”? Walls close around something. What is in is held inside.
“They locked him in until morning.”
“The guard locked the bike in the shed.”
Make fixed or agreed
“We locked in the price before it went up.”
“Can we lock in Friday for the meeting?”
Focus fully without interruption
“I need to lock in and study tonight.”
“Maya locked in and finished the report.”
Don't confuse with
Lock in means confine by locking. Lock out means prevent someone from entering by locking the door.
Test yourself
“They locked him in until morning.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
lock out
A contrast learners often mix up
Prevent someone from entering by locking the door
bask in
Same in pattern: inside
Take great pleasure in attention, success or warmth
be in
Same in pattern: inside
Be present at home or at work
box in
Same in pattern: inside
Surround tightly with little room
breathe in
Same in pattern: inside
Inhale air
build in
Same in pattern: inside
Include something as a permanent part of a design
buy in
Same in pattern: inside
Purchase a stock of something for use later
chain in
Same in pattern: inside
Hold someone or something in place using chains
Practice “lock in” in Sink In
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