target locked

USAGE SUMMARY

"target locked" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "The missile slammed into its target, which had been locked onto its trajectory only moments before."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When this happens shoot a single rocket (as it only requires one to kill) then, if you're unsuccessful, keep the target locked on and fire again.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Meanwhile, the Hall trade means the Oilers must already have a few of their free agent targets locked up, even though that's technically not allowed.

The Guardian - Sport

Your left is on the left stick for movement, the right on the right to switch between targets locked onto with LT, while the D-pad controls the colours: that is, obviously, a problem.

Vice

Greg Mueller of GameSpot felt that the guns were nearly useless because of a lack of a target lock or manual aim, combined with an ineffective auto-aim.

Wikipedia

The target is locked.

The New York Times

So far, inflation targeting has locked in low inflation rather than brought about major disinflation.

The Economist

The root cause of sexist harassment and assault can never be addressed when the targets are locked away in temporarily isolated bubbles.

Independent

In order to study the effects of manipulating long range chromatin interactions in the regulation of the neurofibromatosis gene NF1, we targeted Zorro locked nucleic acids (Zorro LNA) to a single CTCF binding site at an NF1 locus in human fibroblast cells.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Gene Regulatory Mechanisms

Bloggers simply showing their approval of an FAI attack have been targeted and locked up, according to the FAI, with some prisoners refused basic rights such as phone calls and visitors.

Vice

Today's report confirmed that although the first test last October was initially hailed as a success, it is uncertain whether the interceptor could actually have hit the mock warhead without having mistakenly steered toward the target by locking in error on a decoy balloon.

The New York Times

Track Your Subjects Wherever They Roam The E-PL1's Continuous Autofocus (C-AF) Tracking and Autofocus (AF) Target Registration locks your subject into focus and constantly adjusts focus and brightness whether you or your subject is moving.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "target locked" in technical contexts, ensure it aligns with the specific system's terminology (e.g., military, aerospace). Use it when you want to communicate a state of secure focus on an objective.

Common error

Avoid using "target locked" too casually in everyday conversation. Its technical origin can sound out of place if the context isn't appropriate. Choose simpler phrases like "focused on" or "set on" for general situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "target locked" functions primarily as a descriptive term, indicating that a system or entity has successfully identified and is tracking a specific target. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "target locked" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes a state of secure focus on a designated objective. Although Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it's more common in technical contexts such as military, aerospace, or gaming. While its frequency is rare, it is found in news media, scientific papers and wikis. Alternatives include "locked onto target" or "acquired target". Use it carefully in general conversation to avoid sounding out of place. Remember to check the register of the phrase before including it into your conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

locked onto target

Rephrases using 'onto' emphasizing the connection to the target.

acquired target

Focuses on the action of obtaining or gaining control of the target.

target acquired

Similar in meaning, but uses a passive voice emphasizing the target is what is being found.

secured target

Emphasizes the action of securing the target.

focused on target

Highlights the concentration or focus directed towards the target.

tracking target

Focuses on the process of following the target.

identified target

Emphasizes the initial recognition or identification of the target.

designated target

Indicates the target has been specifically chosen or assigned.

designated target

Highlights that someone defined which is the target.

assigned target

Refers to target assignment emphasizing delegation.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "target locked"?

It means something is focused on a specific objective, as in a missile about to strike its intended target. It suggests a secure and intentional direction.

How can I use "target locked" in a sentence?

You might say, "The missile had its target locked and was proceeding on course", indicating the missile was secured to hit its destination. Remember to use "locked onto target" which it is a good option too.

Is "target locked" formal or informal language?

"Target locked" leans towards technical or neutral contexts due to its association with military and technological language. For less formal situations, consider alternatives like "focused on target".

What are some alternatives to "target locked"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "acquired target", "secured target", or "locked onto target" to convey a similar meaning.