lock in
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle in
Meanings
Confine by locking
Why “in”? A person or thing enters or remains within a space, limit, activity, or feeling.
“They locked him in until morning.”
“She accidentally locked the dog in the garage.”
Make fixed or agreed
Why “in”? A price, date or plan is made firm. Once it is set, it stays fixed and cannot change.
“We locked in the price before it went up.”
“Can we lock in Friday for the meeting?”
Focus fully without interruption
Why “in”? Attention or movement narrows towards one exact target and stays fixed there.
“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
box in
Same in pattern: inside
Surround tightly with little room
chain in
Same in pattern: inside
Hold someone or something in place using chains
check in
Same in pattern: inside
Register at a hotel, airport or event; Hand over luggage to be loaded onto a plane; Briefly contact someone to update them
close in
Same in pattern: inside
Surround so escape becomes harder
crowd in
Same in pattern: inside
Move into a small space in large numbers
fall in
Same in pattern: inside
Collapse inward
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