lock-up

The shopkeeper announces the lock-up for the evening.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A jail or prison cell: "lock-up" refers to a small, temporary prison, especially one in a police station or courthouse where suspects are held before trial.
   • A period of confinement: "lock-up" can mean the time during which someone is kept in a locked cell or room.
   • A type of investment: In finance, "lock-up" is a period during which investors cannot sell or withdraw their capital from an investment fund.

2. Verb (used as a phrasal verb "to lock up"):

   • To secure by locking: To fasten a door, container, or building with a lock.
   • To imprison or confine: To place someone in a locked cell or secure area.
   • To immobilize capital: To prevent funds from being withdrawn or traded for a set time.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The suspect was held in the police lock-up overnight. (A small, temporary jail.)
  • The investment has a five-year lock-up. (A period when capital cannot be withdrawn.)

• Verb:

  • Please lock up the office before you leave. (Secure the building by locking doors.)
  • The judge ordered the criminal to be locked up for ten years. (Imprison the criminal.)
  • The fund locks up investors' money for three years. (Prevents withdrawal of capital.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be in lock-up": to be confined in a jail or secure area.

  • The prisoners are in lock-up until their court hearing. (They are held in a locked cell.)

• "lock-up agreement": a legal contract that restricts the sale of shares for a specific period.

  • The company signed a lock-up agreement with its early investors. (An agreement preventing share sales.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lock-up (adj): used to describe something that is secure or locked.

  • The lock-up garage is for storing valuables. (A secure, lockable garage.)

• Lockup (n): an alternative spelling of "lock-up," common in American English.

  • He was taken to the county lockup. (The county jail.)

Synonyms

• Jail: a place for confining criminals.
• Cell: a small room in a prison.
• Detention: the act of holding someone in custody.
• Freeze: a temporary halt on trading or withdrawal (for investments).

Phrasal Verbs

• Lock up: to secure by locking; to imprison.

  • Remember to lock up the house when you leave. (Secure the house.)
  • They locked up the suspect after the arrest. (Imprisoned the suspect.)

• Lock away: to store securely or imprison.

  • She locked away her jewelry in a safe. (Stored securely.)

Related Idioms

• Lock, stock, and barrel: entirely; completely.

  • He sold his business lock, stock, and barrel. (He sold everything, including all assets.)

• Under lock and key: securely locked up.

  • The documents are kept under lock and key in the vault. (Securely stored and locked.)