lock away
phrasal verb
locked away; locking away; locks away
1
: to put (something) in a locked container, place, etc.
The jewelry was locked away in a cabinet.
2
: to put (someone) in a locked place (such as a prison) for a long period of time
lock away a criminal
The state locked their sister away in a psychiatric hospital.
3
: to keep (oneself) alone in a room or place for a long period of time
He locked himself away in his room while he studied.
He was locked away in his room while he studied.
Examples of lock away in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Swift pairs the cute dress with funky hair clips pulling her new brunette locks away from her face.
—
Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
If data is encrypted, it is supposed to be locked away from hackers, companies and governments alike.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Today, demand from institutional investors, corporate buyers, and long-term holders can contribute toward upward pressure on the Bitcoin price, especially when liquid supply is withdrawn or locked away.
—Jason Phillips, Ascend Agency, 30 Jan. 2026
Wedding guests were reportedly required to lock away their phones on arrival.
—Anna Russell, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lock away
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Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
If data is encrypted, it is supposed to be locked away from hackers, companies and governments alike.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Today, demand from institutional investors, corporate buyers, and long-term holders can contribute toward upward pressure on the Bitcoin price, especially when liquid supply is withdrawn or locked away.
—Jason Phillips, Ascend Agency, 30 Jan. 2026
Wedding guests were reportedly required to lock away their phones on arrival.
—Anna Russell, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lock away
Cite this Entry
“Lock away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lock%20away. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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