lock-out

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An employer's tactic in industrial disputes: A "lock-out" is the temporary closing of a workplace by an employer, typically to prevent workers from entering during a labor dispute, as a means of exerting pressure on them to accept terms.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The factory owners imposed a lock-out after the union refused to accept the new contract. (The employers closed the factory to force the workers to agree to their conditions.)
  • During the lock-out, employees were unable to work and did not receive wages. (The period when workers were barred from entering the workplace.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be under a lock-out": to be in a situation where workers are prevented from working by the employer.

  • The steelworkers have been under a lock-out for three weeks. (They are locked out of the factory as part of the dispute.)

• "to end a lock-out": to resolve the dispute and allow workers back.

  • The government intervened to end the lock-out and restart negotiations. (Officials helped reopen the workplace.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lockout (n): a variant spelling of "lock-out" (often written as one word).

  • The company's lockout lasted for a month. (The workplace closure continued for a long period.)

• Lock (v): to close or secure something (as in "to lock out").

  • They locked the workers out of the building. (They prevented entry by securing the doors.)

Synonyms

• Exclusion: the act of preventing someone from entering a place.
• Shutdown: a temporary closure of a business or facility.

Phrasal Verbs

• Lock out: to prevent someone from entering a place, especially by locking a door or gate.
  • The manager locked out the employees who arrived late. (He barred them from entering.)

Related Idioms

• Lock, stock, and barrel: entirely; completely (not directly related to lock-out, but uses "lock").

  • The company changed its policies lock, stock, and barrel. (It changed everything thoroughly.)

• Under lock and key: securely locked away.

  • The documents were kept under lock and key. (They were stored in a locked place.)