lock the date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lock the date" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when confirming or reserving a specific date for an event or appointment. Example: "Please lock the date for our meeting on March 15th so that everyone can plan accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the view of Democrats and Republicans alike, Mr. Gardner is as inscrutable as he is stubborn, and he has given nothing away, appearing content to let the storm swirl around him as he waits for the right moment to lock in the date of his state's primary.

The New York Times

Malcolm Turnbull has locked in the dates for his first trip to the United States since becoming the Australian prime minister, with the talks likely to focus on terrorism and regional security.

The Guardian

Of course, from a user's perspective, this is not seamless because they need to start over and enter all of the contextual information still locked in the dating site.

TechCrunch

These vaccines together represented more than half of the vaccine spontaneous reports in the SRD at the data lock point date of 1 February 2010 and covered a diverse range of vaccine characteristics.

Drug Safety

The "historically significant" lock dates from the 1790s.

BBC

Samsung Mobile head JK Shin remarked at the device's launch event in London yesterday that the LTE version of the device would land in U.S. over the summer, and The Verge managed to lock that launch date down to sometime this June.

TechCrunch

On that date, however, the producers locked the musicians out of the performance space, the union said, and they have denied them access to their instruments and other property since then.

The New York Times

Gary Rohan was concussed, a result of a sickening head clash with Drew Petrie as the Kangaroos locked up another date on the second-last weekend of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

"I figure once I lock in a date it will also give a little incentive to the search committee to get moving".

The New York Times

Well, as I stated earlier in this article, Sony has yet to lock a release date.

Huffington Post

Even if you're not associated with the current administration or a MAGA-hat wearing Trump supporter, it can apparently be hard to lock down a date if you lean right.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lock the date" when you want to emphasize that a date has been confirmed and is unlikely to change. It's suitable for situations where ensuring availability is important.

Common error

Avoid using "lock the date" in very casual conversations where simpler phrases like "confirm the date" or "set the date" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lock the date" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate the confirmation and securing of a particular date for an event, meeting, or other commitment. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lock the date" is a grammatically sound and idiomatic expression used to convey the confirmation and securing of a specific date. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase. While its frequency in the provided dataset is currently missing, it is generally considered to be neutral in terms of formality, making it suitable for a range of contexts, from professional to personal. Alternative phrases, such as "confirm the date" or "set the date", can be used depending on the desired level of emphasis or formality. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the context and the need to convey the firmness of the commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confirm the date

Replaces "lock" with "confirm", focusing on verifying the date's availability.

set the date

Emphasizes establishing the date definitively, instead of securing a pre-existing option.

finalize the date

Highlights the completion of the dating setting process.

book the date

Implies reserving the date, similar to booking a venue or service.

secure the date

Focuses on ensuring the date is reserved and unavailable to others.

reserve the date

Focuses on making a formal reservation for a specific time.

fix the date

Emphasizes the act of setting the date permanently

block out the date

Implies setting aside a date, making it unavailable to others.

pencil in the date

Expresses a tentative agreement on the date, less firm than "lock".

mark the date

Highlights noting the date on a calendar, not necessarily confirming it.

FAQs

What does "lock the date" mean?

"Lock the date" means to confirm and commit to a specific date, ensuring it is reserved and unlikely to change. It's similar to saying you are "confirm the date" or "set the date".

When is it appropriate to use "lock the date"?

It's appropriate to use "lock the date" when you want to emphasize the importance of confirming and securing a specific date, particularly for events or appointments that require advance planning. Using "finalize the date" is suitable in similar context.

Are there any alternatives to "lock the date"?

Yes, alternatives include "confirm the date", "set the date", "book the date", and "secure the date". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "lock the date" formal or informal?

"Lock the date" is generally considered neutral in formality. While not overly formal, it's also not strictly informal and can be used in various professional and personal contexts. You might prefer a more formal alternative like "reserve the date" in certain business communications.