police lockdown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "police lockdown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where law enforcement restricts access to an area for safety or security reasons. Example: "The city was placed under a police lockdown after the reports of an armed suspect in the vicinity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Manama is under police lockdown," tweeted activist Ala'a Shehabi.

The Guardian

"Manama is under a police lockdown," tweeted activist Ala'a Shehabi.

The Guardian

Five blocks of Fifth Avenue are on police lockdown.

The Guardian - Film

SHANWEI, China, Dec. 10 - Four days after a lethal assault on protesters by paramilitary forces, a village in southern China remained under heavy police lockdown on Saturday.

The New York Times

Besides its base meaning of being in charge, it shows up in "jurisdiction" (管辖, guǎnxiá), "management" (管理, guǎnlǐ), "supervisory control" (管 制, guǎnzhì, sometimes a euphemism for a police lockdown) and "butler" (管家, guǎnjiā).

The New York Times

The nadir for Dewey came in March, when a student — not newly admitted from Lafayette — was spotted by classmates and a teacher handling a gun and the building was put under police lockdown for several hours.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

11pm Police lift lockdown and stay-indoors request for the Boston area.

Independent

Some demonstrators stormed the hall, shouting "shame, shame", and forcing police to lockdown the building, AP news agency reported.

BBC

Emergencies can include natural disasters and a police-ordered lockdown.

Los Angeles Times

Right after the police lifted the lockdown in Watertown, Mass., and said it was safe for residents to return to the streets Friday night, Sean Finn bolted from his house.

The New York Times

The report to local police triggered a lockdown on the base, the site of a 2013 mass shooting, while the authorities investigated the reports of an active shooter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "police lockdown", ensure the context clearly indicates that law enforcement is actively restricting movement or access to a specific area due to a security concern or ongoing investigation. Be specific about the location and reason for the lockdown to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "police lockdown" in situations where the police presence is simply increased for general security, but no specific restrictions are in place. Overusing the term can create unnecessary alarm. Provide specific details about the affected area and the restrictions to convey accurate information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "police lockdown" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes a situation where law enforcement restricts access to an area.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "police lockdown" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term, particularly in news and media, to describe a situation where law enforcement restricts access to an area for security reasons. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While alternatives like "law enforcement blockade" or "area sealed off by police" exist, "police lockdown" is the most concise and readily understood term in many contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to provide specific details about the location and the reason for the lockdown to avoid creating unnecessary alarm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

law enforcement blockade

Replaces "police" with "law enforcement" and "lockdown" with "blockade", emphasizing the physical barrier aspect.

police cordon

A more concise term, referring to a line of police preventing access.

area sealed off by police

Focuses on the action of sealing off an area.

police enforced containment

Highlights the containment aspect of a lockdown.

security perimeter established by police

More descriptive, specifying the establishment of a security perimeter by the police.

restricted access zone enforced by police

Emphasizes restricted access to a specific zone.

area under police control

Focuses on the control aspect of the lockdown.

secured zone by law enforcement

Similar to 'security perimeter', but uses "secured zone".

police controlled access point

Focuses on specific access points being controlled by police.

police imposed curfew

Implies a time-based restriction enforced by police.

FAQs

How is a "police lockdown" different from a general emergency alert?

A "police lockdown" specifically indicates restrictions imposed by law enforcement on movement and access to an area, usually due to an immediate threat or ongoing investigation. An emergency alert is broader, encompassing various types of dangers and may not always involve physical restrictions.

What are some situations where a "police lockdown" might be implemented?

A "police lockdown" can be implemented during active shooter situations, bomb threats, major crime investigations, or civil unrest where public safety is at immediate risk. It's intended to secure an area and protect the public.

What should I do if I am in an area under "police lockdown"?

Follow the instructions of law enforcement officials. Typically, this involves staying indoors, securing doors and windows, and remaining away from potential danger zones. Monitor official news sources for updates and further instructions.

Are there alternatives to the term "police lockdown" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "law enforcement blockade", "area sealed off by police", or "police cordon". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.