locked me up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "locked me up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts referring to being confined or imprisoned, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "After the incident, they locked me up for my own safety until the situation was resolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"They locked me up in a steel box, in solitary.

The New Yorker

Then they locked me up in a room".

The New York Times

"You locked me up for a nickel bag of crack.

The New York Times

"They locked me up while they were stitching me up," Mr. Fullerton, 55, said.

The New York Times

"I told them I didn't want to get involved, so what they did, they locked me up," he testified.

The New York Times

But I realised, honestly, yeah, my mom locked me up in an institution.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

I mean, lock me up already.

The Guardian - Business

What are you going to do, lock me up?

The New Yorker

I think I just wanted them to lock me up".

The New York Times - Magazine

"But it's not the thing they're locking me up for".

The New Yorker

"They will try to lock me up for life," Bout told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "locked me up", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what entity performed the action of confinement. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "locked me up" without specifying the subject (who did the locking). Instead of saying "I was locked up", clarify with "The police locked me up" or "My father locked me up" for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "locked me up" functions as a verb phrase where 'locked up' is a phrasal verb indicating the action of confining someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used in various contexts, primarily to describe imprisonment or confinement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "locked me up" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the experience of being confined or imprisoned. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. It's typically used in neutral contexts, often in news and media, to convey personal narratives of restriction. While versatile, clarity can be enhanced by specifying who or what did the locking, avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives like "imprisoned me" or "confined me" offer more formal options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put me in jail

More direct and common expression for being jailed.

imprisoned me

Formal synonym emphasizing legal or official confinement.

incarcerated me

Stronger, more formal term for imprisonment.

confined me

General term for restricting someone to a space.

detained me

Implies temporary holding, often by authorities.

put me behind bars

Figurative expression for imprisonment.

held me captive

Suggests being held against one's will, often in a non-legal context.

took me into custody

Describes the act of being arrested and taken by law enforcement.

held me against my will

Emphasizes the lack of consent in being confined.

restrained me

Focuses on the physical act of preventing movement.

FAQs

What does "locked me up" mean?

The phrase "locked me up" means that someone was confined or imprisoned, either literally in a jail or prison, or metaphorically in a restrictive situation.

What can I say instead of "locked me up"?

You can use alternatives like "imprisoned me", "confined me", or "detained me" depending on the specific context.

Is "locked me up" formal or informal?

"Locked me up" is generally considered informal. More formal alternatives include "imprisoned me" or "incarcerated me".

How is "locked me up" different from "arrested me"?

"Arrested me" specifically refers to being taken into legal custody, while "locked me up" is a broader term that can refer to any type of confinement, including situations that are not legal arrests.