lock them in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lock them in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to locking someone or something up to secure them, for example: "The police locked the criminals in the jail cell."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Lock them in schools, not prisons.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And then we had to lock them in the basement.

The Guardian - Music

The teller turned an iron wheel to lock them in.

The New Yorker

"We bet on the right people, and we lock them in".

The New Yorker

I later lock them in to account for this later on.

Independent

Good business practice is to identify your assets and lock them in.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"We locked them in.

The Guardian - Sport

"His wife locked them in the bedroom and ran off.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he locked them in his office.

The New York Times

He locked them in his castle & made them listen to his poetry.

The New Yorker

Last week, in order to try to end the debate, the Democratic Senate president locked them in.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lock them in", consider the connotations of confinement and ensure it aligns with your intended message. For instance, using it in a business context can refer to securing favorable rates, while in other contexts it might imply physical restriction.

Common error

Be careful not to use "lock them in" when a softer approach is needed. For example, saying "Let's "secure their commitment"" might be more appropriate than "Let's "lock them in"" if you're aiming for a collaborative agreement rather than a binding contract.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lock them in" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, where "lock" is the verb and "them" and "in" are the object and particle, respectively. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

13%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lock them in" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe both physical confinement and metaphorical securing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. With high frequency in News & Media, the phrase's register is generally neutral, though the connotation can shift based on context. When employing this phrase, consider the implications of confinement and select alternative phrasings like "secure them" or "commit them" to fine-tune your message. The primary function is to denote the action of securing or confining, as illustrated across examples ranging from prison cells to business contracts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confine them

Focuses on the act of restricting someone or something to a specific space.

imprison them

Emphasizes the act of putting someone in prison.

secure them

Implies making something safe or protected, not necessarily through physical confinement.

trap them

Suggests a situation where someone is unable to escape.

encage them

Refers to putting someone in a cage.

close them in

Highlights the action of surrounding someone to prevent escape.

seal them off

Indicates isolating someone or something from the outside world.

corner them

Suggests forcing someone into a position from which they cannot easily escape.

box them in

Implies restricting someone's movement or options.

restrict them

Focuses on limiting someone's freedom or movement.

FAQs

How can I use "lock them in" in a sentence?

You can use "lock them in" to describe physically confining someone, such as "The guards "locked them in" the prison cell". It can also be used metaphorically, like "The company tried to "lock them in" with a long-term contract".

What does "lock them in" mean in a business context?

In a business context, "lock them in" typically means securing a customer or supplier with a contract or agreement that makes it difficult for them to switch to a competitor. It can also mean securing favorable rates, as in "Brands with deep pockets may be able to negotiate favorable advertising rates and "lock them in" for several years".

What are some alternatives to "lock them in" that don't imply physical restraint?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "secure them", "commit them", or "retain them". These phrases avoid the negative connotations of physical confinement while still conveying the idea of ensuring someone's involvement or commitment.

Is it ever appropriate to use "lock them in" in a positive way?

Yes, particularly in business or sports. For example, "The team needs to "lock them in" to a long-term contract" implies securing a valuable asset. However, be mindful of the potential for negative connotations, especially if the context involves people rather than assets.