everything was locked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everything was locked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where all items or areas are secured and inaccessible, often in the context of security or safety. Example: "When I arrived at the office, I found that everything was locked, and I couldn't get in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It seemed like everything was locked in.

The Washington Post

You had your own key because everything was locked.

The Guardian - Sport

Tuesday at 11 30 p.m., he made a final circuit of the base, making sure everything was locked down tight.

The Washington Post

"Everything was locked into place," Halpin later said of the gargantuan drum kit; "anyplace you could hit there would be something there.

The New Yorker

According to her daughter-in-law, she tried to steal one more time, but everything was locked up that night — can you imagine!

The New Yorker

"I came from the corporate world where everything was locked down so tight that you couldn't move without big brother watching you," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Everything is locked up in New York: the school, the churches, the bathrooms," said Mr. Green, a dreadlocked former marine, as he sat in his cluttered office the other day.

The New York Times

This is a lot like the software business before open source became a force: everything is locked down and shut tight.

Forbes

Once everything is locked in, the effect is cool, and the system does seem to be more responsive than its predecessors.

TechCrunch

[Laughs.] I was like, "OK! I'll try to be aware!" You're very much used to everything being locked down before you do anything [on most sets], but this is different.

Huffington Post

These days you need a license and even if you manage that, the 'party police' aka the Mines Department perform regular checks to make sure that everything is locked up properly.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "everything was locked" to clearly indicate that all items or access points have been secured, ensuring no entry or removal is possible. This is useful in security reports, narratives, and instructional content.

Common error

Avoid using "everything was locked" when you only mean specific items or areas. If only the doors and windows were locked, specify that instead of using the broader term "everything". This prevents miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything was locked" functions primarily as a declarative statement, asserting a state of complete closure or security. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable. The examples illustrate its use in describing physical spaces and systems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "everything was locked" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a state of complete closure or security. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples spanning various contexts. While relatively common, it's essential to use the phrase accurately to avoid miscommunication. Key considerations include ensuring the term "everything" appropriately reflects the scope of what was secured, and using more specific language when referring to particular items or areas. Its register is considered neutral, and the contexts, while more frequent in news media, can also appear in academic writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything was secured

Focuses on the action of making something safe or protected; emphasizes the outcome of a security measure.

all was under lock and key

An idiomatic expression that highlights the safekeeping and inaccessibility of something.

everything was sealed

Emphasizes closure to prevent access or leakage, not necessarily by a lock.

everything was shut tight

Suggests a forceful and complete closure, implying thoroughness.

everything was made inaccessible

Highlights the result of actions taken to prevent access.

everything was closed off

Implies a barrier was created to separate or isolate something.

everything was bolted down

Suggests securing items firmly in place to prevent movement or theft.

everything was inaccessible

Focuses on the state of being unable to be reached or accessed.

everything was under surveillance

Implies monitoring rather than physical closure, indicating a focus on observation and security.

all points of entry were secured

Focuses on securing various access points, emphasizing a comprehensive security strategy.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "everything was locked"?

Alternatives include "all was secured", "everything was sealed", or "everything was shut tight", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. See more at "everything was secured".

Is it correct to say "everything was locked"?

Yes, "everything was locked" is grammatically sound and commonly used to indicate that all items or access points were secured against entry or removal.

When is it appropriate to use "everything was locked" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that all possible access points or items were secured, such as in a security report, narrative, or set of instructions.

What's the difference between "everything was locked" and "all was locked"?

Both phrases are similar, but "everything was locked" is generally used when referring to a collection of items or areas, while "all was locked" might be used to describe a general state of security. The nuance is subtle, and both are usually interchangeable.