lock
/lɔk/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A device for securing something: A mechanical or electronic fastener fitted to a door, lid, etc., that is released by a key, combination, or other mechanism.
- A section of a canal or river with gates at each end: An enclosure used to raise or lower boats by changing the water level.
- A wrestling hold: A grip in which a part of the opponent's body is immobilized.
- A mechanism in a firearm: The part that detonates the charge.
- A strand or tuft of hair: A curl, tress, or small cluster of hair.
Verb:
- To fasten or secure with a lock: To make something immovable or inaccessible by engaging its lock.
- To become fastened or engaged: For a device or mechanism to become fixed in place.
- To confine or restrict movement: To enclose or hold something or someone securely in a place.
- To become intertwined or rigid: To become firmly engaged or stuck in a fixed position.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- I turned the key in the lock to open the door.
- The boat waited to enter the lock on the canal.
- The wrestler applied a painful leg lock.
Verb:
- Please lock the door when you leave.
- The wheels locked, causing the car to skid.
- She locked her bicycle to the railing.
- He locked his fingers together nervously.
Advanced Usage
- "to lock horns": To become embroiled in a conflict or argument.
- The two politicians locked horns during the debate.
- "to lock in": To commit to something, making change difficult or impossible.
- The contract locks in the price for two years.
- "lock, stock, and barrel": Completely; including every part.
- They sold the business, lock, stock, and barrel.
Variants and Related Words
- Lockable (adj): Capable of being locked.
- The cabinet is lockable for security.
- Locker (n): A small, lockable cupboard or compartment.
- He put his gym clothes in his locker.
- Deadlock (n): A situation where no progress can be made; a complete standstill.
- The negotiations reached a deadlock.
Synonyms
- Noun: Fastener, bolt, latch, padlock.
- Verb: Secure, fasten, bolt, latch, engage.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Lock away: To put something in a locked place for safekeeping or to imprison someone.
- He locked away the confidential documents.
- Lock down: To secure a building or area by locking doors and restricting movement.
- The school was locked down during the emergency.
- Lock out: To prevent someone from entering a place by locking the doors, often as a labor tactic.
- The management locked out the striking workers.
- Lock up: To lock all doors and windows of a building; to imprison someone.
- Don't forget to lock up the office tonight.
Related Idioms
- Lock and key: In a securely locked state.
- The jewels were kept under lock and key.
- Lock someone in: To officially record or guarantee someone's participation.
- We need to lock in the keynote speaker for the conference.
Noun
- any wrestling hold in which some part of the opponent's body is twisted or pressured
- a restraint incorporated into the ignition switch to prevent the use of a vehicle by persons who do not have the key
- enclosure consisting of a section of canal that can be closed to control the water level; used to raise or lower vessels that pass through it
- a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun
- a strand or cluster of hair
- a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
Verb
- build locks in order to facilitate the navigation of vessels
- pass by means through a lock in a waterway
- place in a place where something cannot be removed or someone cannot escape
- The parents locked her daughter up for the weekend
- She locked her jewels in the safe
- hold fast (in a certain state)
- He was locked in a laughing fit
- become engaged or intermeshed with one another
- They were locked in embrace
- hold in a locking position
- He locked his hands around her neck
- become rigid or immoveable
- The therapist noticed that the patient's knees tended to lock in this exercise
- keep engaged
- engaged the gears
- fasten with a lock
- lock the bike to the fence