Dictionary Home »
Phrase Meanings » lock up
What does "lock up" mean?
-
Close a house or place of work, fastening all the doors and windows, as in The attendant locks up at eleven o'clock every night, or Did you remind Abby to lock up? [Late 1500s]
-
Invest in something not easily converted into cash, as in Most of their assets were locked up in real estate. [Late 1600s]
-
lock someone up. Confine or imprison someone, as in The princes were locked up in the Tower of London. [c. 1300]
Learn more about lock up