Definition

Verb (transitive): 1. To prevent employees from entering their workplace, typically as a tactic by an employer during a labor dispute. - This action is often taken to exert pressure during contract negotiations or a strike.

Usage

The verb "lock out" is used to describe the specific action taken by management. It is typically followed by the object being locked out (e.g., the workers). - The company threatened to lock out the workers if they did not accept the new terms. - During the dispute, the factory owners locked out the entire night shift.

Advanced Usage

• To be locked out: The passive form is very common, describing the state of the employees.
  • The union members were locked out of the plant for three weeks.
• Lockout (noun): The event or period of being locked out. This is a compound noun derived from the phrasal verb.
  • The lockout lasted for several months, causing financial hardship.

Variants and Related Words

• Lockout (n): The act of locking out or the state of being locked out. This is the standard nominal form.
  • The labor dispute resulted in a costly lockout.

Synonyms

• Shut out: To prevent from entering. (Less specific to labor contexts.)
• Exclude: To deny someone access. (General term.)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Lock in: To secure or confine within a place. (Has a different meaning, often opposite.)
  • They decided to lock in the deal with a contract.
• Lock away: To imprison or secure something in a safe place.
  • He locked away the confidential documents.

Related Idioms

• Lock horns: To become involved in a conflict or argument.
  • The management and the union locked horns over healthcare benefits. (This idiom is thematically related to disputes but does not involve the word "lock out".)

Verb

1. prevent employees from working during a strike