lɒk daʊn
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- lock
- Particle:
- down
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "lock down" mean?
- To secure a place by restricting entry or exit.
- To finalize or make something definite.
Examples
- The school was locked down after a security threat.
- We need to lock down the contract details by Friday.
- The city was locked down during the pandemic.
- Once we lock down the venue, we can send invitations.
How to use it
Became extremely common during COVID-19. The noun 'lockdown' is now everyday vocabulary.
Word order
Can be separated: 'lock the building down'. Also used intransitively.
Similar expressions
secure
seal off
finalize
confirm
Opposites
open up
release
Related phrasal verbs
- turn down
To reduce the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- bring down
To cause something to fall or collapse
- go down
To decrease in price, level, or amount
- come down
To decrease in price, level, or amount
- break down
To stop working or functioning (machines, vehicles)
- put down
To place something on a surface
Use it in a practice answer
Try "lock down" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.