lock up
1 of 1verb/ˈlɑk ʌp/
Forms:locks up,locking up,locked up,locked up
1
to close or secure something in a place where it cannot be removed or accessed without the appropriate authorization, key, or combination
- He remembered to lock the house up before leaving for vacation.
- The scientist locked up the dangerous chemicals in a secure laboratory.
- The store owner locked up the valuables in the safe.
- The individual locked up their personal belongings in a storage locker.
- The librarian locked the rare books up in a special archive.
2
to confine a person in a place, such as a prison, where they cannot escape without one's permission
- The police locked up the suspect in the detention center.
- The judge ordered the defendant to be locked up in the jail pending their trial.
- The police locked up the suspect in the jail cell to await trial.
- The authorities locked up the dissidents in a maximum-security prison.
- The government locked political prisoners up without trial.