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
These ecosystems can sequester carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests, according to Conservation International, locking away carbon while shielding coastlines from rising seas.
—
Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Thousands of artifacts are locked away—Civil War-era journals, vintage cameras.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
As mayor, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio) took over the city's government, locked away any potential threats to his power in a secret prison, installed his own shadow force of corrupt cops to exact his will, outlawed vigilanteism, and declared martial law.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Disney’s Ferro hopes clients will come to the table, rather than keeping money locked away in the bank.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lock away
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Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Thousands of artifacts are locked away—Civil War-era journals, vintage cameras.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
As mayor, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio) took over the city's government, locked away any potential threats to his power in a secret prison, installed his own shadow force of corrupt cops to exact his will, outlawed vigilanteism, and declared martial law.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Disney’s Ferro hopes clients will come to the table, rather than keeping money locked away in the bank.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 11 May 2025
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 17 Jun. 2025.
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