lock sth up Meaning & Examples: How to Use “lock sth up” Correctly

What Does “lock sth up” Mean?

“Lock sth up” means to secure something by locking it, usually with a key or lock, to keep it safe or prevent access.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “lock sth up” is commonly used in English to describe the action of securing objects, buildings, or places by locking them. Understanding the lock sth up meaning helps learners use it accurately in daily situations, like locking doors, cabinets, or even figurative uses such as locking up money or information. This phrase is practical for conversations about safety, security, and responsibility. By learning how to use “lock sth up,” you can improve your English and express ideas about protecting or storing things effectively.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: lock something up
• Type: Transitive
• Level: A2–B2
• Short meaning: To secure something by locking it

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Lock sth up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object either between “lock” and “up” or after “up.”

• lock + object + up (e.g., lock the door up)
• lock + up + object (e.g., lock up the door)

Both forms are correct and commonly used. However, the first form is more common with pronouns.

• Correct: lock it up
• Incorrect: lock up it

How to Use lock sth up?

Use “lock sth up” when you want to express that something is being secured by locking. It is often used with physical objects like doors, windows, boxes, or buildings. Additionally, it can be used figuratively to mean securing or saving something carefully.

Examples include locking your house before leaving, locking up valuables, or securing money in a safe.

Examples

When leaving the office, always remember to lock the doors. It’s important to lock your bike up if you leave it outside.

• She locked the shop up before going home.
• Don’t forget to lock up the garage at night.
• He locked up his savings in a secure account.
• They locked the files up to protect sensitive information.
• Make sure to lock up your bike when you park it outside.

These examples show how to use “lock sth up in a sentence” naturally.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse the position of the object in the phrasal verb. Remember, with pronouns, the object must go between “lock” and “up.”

• Incorrect: Lock up it before leaving.
• Correct: Lock it up before leaving.

Also, avoid using “lock up” without an object if you want to specify what is being secured.

Differences / Synonyms

“Lock sth up” is similar to “lock up” and “lock away,” but there are subtle differences:

• Lock up: Often means to lock a place completely, such as a building or shop.
• Lock away: Emphasizes putting something in a hidden or safe place.
• Lock sth up: Focuses on locking a specific object.

For example, “lock up the house” means securing the entire house, while “lock up the documents” means locking specific papers.

Common Collocations

Here are some common objects used with “lock sth up” and their meanings:

• Lock the door up: Secure doors to prevent entry.
• Lock the windows up: Close and secure windows.
• Lock the bike up: Secure a bicycle with a lock.
• Lock valuables up: Store valuable items safely.
• Lock the files up: Secure documents or information.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of lock sth up:

• Lock Sth In
• Lock Yourself Out Of Sth
• Lock Sth Out
• Lock Sb Out Of Sth
• Lock Sb In

Real-life Dialogue

Imagine two friends talking about leaving a house:

Anna: Did you lock the front door up?

Ben: Yes, I locked it up before we left.

Anna: Great! And the garage?

Ben: Locked that up too. Everything is secure.

Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct form of “lock sth up”:

• Please _______ the windows before you leave.
• She always _______ her bike _______ when she goes shopping.
• Don’t forget to _______ the files _______ after work.
• We need to _______ the house _______ before the storm comes.

FAQ

• What does “lock sth up” mean? It means to secure something by locking it with a key or lock.
• Can “lock sth up” be used with pronouns? Yes, but the pronoun must come between “lock” and “up” (e.g., lock it up).
• Is “lock sth up” separable or inseparable? It is separable; you can place the object between the verb and particle or after the particle.
• What is the difference between “lock up” and “lock sth up”? “Lock up” often refers to locking a place entirely, while “lock sth up” refers to locking a specific object.
• Can “lock sth up” be used figuratively? Yes, it can mean securing or saving something safely, like money or information.