lock up
The phrase "lock up" can refer to securing something, confining someone, or a system becoming unresponsive.
Definition
B1Security
To secure a building or area by locking doors and windows.
Example
- Before leaving the office, make sure to lock up.
B1Law
To confine someone in a jail or prison.
Example
- The suspect was locked up for the night.
B2Security
To store something in a locked container for safekeeping.
Example
- She locked up her valuables in the safe.
B2Computing
(technical)For a system or program to become unresponsive or freeze.
Example
- The computer locked up during the update.
C1Mechanics
(technical)For machinery or a vehicle wheel to stop moving due to a malfunction or excessive force.
Example
- The car's brakes locked up on the icy road.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lock up":
locked uplockup houselock downlock inlock onlock intojail locklock outunder lock and keyblock uptie upbox and lockseize upfreeze upblocked upbind upsafety lockhole upchain uptriple locktie downzip upjam upstop upbelt upbound uptighten uptied upbottle upshut awayjammed up