lock out

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out

Meanings

1

Prevent someone from entering by locking the door

Why “out”? Movement goes from inside to outside.

I locked myself out.
I prevented myself from entering by locking the door behind me.
She locked her brother out.
She prevented her brother from entering by locking the door.

Don't confuse with

lock outlock in

Lock out means prevent someone from entering by locking the door. Lock in means confine by locking.

lock outlock up

Lock out means stop someone entering. Lock up means secure a place by locking it.

Test yourself

I locked myself out. What does it mean?

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