What Does “Lock sth away” Mean?
“Lock sth away” means to securely store or keep something in a safe or locked place to protect it or keep it hidden.
Introduction
The phrase “lock sth away” is a common phrasal verb used in English to describe the action of putting something somewhere safe and making sure it cannot be easily accessed. This can be physical objects like money, documents, or valuables, or even ideas or feelings that someone wants to keep private. Understanding the “lock sth away” meaning helps learners use it correctly in various situations, from everyday conversations to formal contexts. Whether you are talking about locking away your keys or locking away memories, this phrase is useful and widely used.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: lock something away
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To put something in a locked place for safety or secrecy
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Lock sth away” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (something) between “lock” and “away” or after “away”.
- lock + something + away (e.g., lock the money away)
- lock away + something (e.g., lock away the money)
Both forms are correct, but placing the object between the verb and the particle is more common in spoken English.
How to Use “Lock sth away”?
Use “lock sth away” when you want to express that something is being put somewhere secure and locked. This can be physical security, like locking away valuables in a safe, or metaphorical, like locking away emotions or memories.
It’s often used in contexts involving safety, protection, or privacy.
Examples
Here are some examples showing how to use “lock sth away” in sentences:
- She always locks her jewelry away in a safe before going on vacation.
- It’s a good idea to lock away important documents to prevent theft.
- After the argument, he locked away his feelings and didn’t talk about it again.
- Locking away your savings in a bank account helps keep them safe.
- They locked away the old files in the storage room.
These examples show both physical and emotional uses of the phrase.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the word order or use incorrect prepositions. Here are some common mistakes:
- Incorrect: Lock away the keys.
- Correct: Lock the keys away.
Although “lock away the keys” is not wrong, native speakers usually say “lock the keys away.” Another mistake is using “lock something in” instead of “lock away,” which changes the meaning.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “put away,” “lock up,” and “hide away.” Each has subtle differences:
- Put away: To store something in its usual place, not necessarily locked.
- Lock up: To lock a building, room, or place.
- Hide away: To keep something out of sight, not always locked.
“Lock sth away” focuses on locking for security or secrecy, while the others may focus more on storage or hiding.
Common Collocations
Some common objects or things that are “locked away” include:
- Money: To keep cash safe
- Jewelry: Valuable items stored securely
- Documents: Important papers locked for protection
- Memories/Feelings: Emotional experiences kept private
- Keys: Locked away to prevent loss or misuse
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of lock sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “lock sth away”:
Anna: Did you remember to lock the passports away?
Ben: Yes, I put them in the safe and locked it away.
Anna: Great! We don’t want to lose them before the trip.
Practice
Try this practice exercise to test your understanding:
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “lock away”:
- She always ________ her savings ________ in a bank account.
- Don’t forget to ________ the important papers ________ before leaving.
- He ________ his childhood memories ________ deep inside.
FAQs
- What does “lock sth away” mean? It means to put something in a safe or locked place to keep it secure or hidden.
- Is “lock away” separable? Yes, you can say “lock something away” or “lock away something.”
- Can “lock sth away” be used for emotions? Yes, it can mean keeping feelings or memories private.
- What is the difference between “lock away” and “lock up”? “Lock away” usually refers to securing objects, while “lock up” often means locking a building or place.
- Is “lock away” formal or informal? It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
