would be a lock for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be a lock for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is very likely or certain to happen, often in the context of predictions or expectations. Example: "Given her impressive track record, she would be a lock for the promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Pia Zadora would be a lock for best actress.

The New York Times - Style

INSIDE PITCH Terry Collins says Dillon Gee, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, would be a lock for the Mets' rotation next year if he is healthy.

The New York Times - Sports

He is, simply, one of the best young directors in the world, and I figured that "When Night Falls" would be a lock for this year's New York Film Festival.

The New Yorker

All along, I've been pretty sure that "La La Land" would be a lock for Best Picture; Hollywood loves nothing more than to see itself as a place where young people can fulfill their wildest dreams of stardom, and do so without any artistic compromise.

The New Yorker

If it were 80percentt pink owls made of marshmallows in top hats, The Grand Budapest Hotel would be a lock for Best Picture.

Vice

As we near the finals, it seems as though every competitor is mining their deepest emotional reserves for a suitably heartbreaking video introduction, and if we're judging the competition based on pure tearjerking potential (since it often seems like the voters don't give a damn about vocal ability) Chris Rene would be a lock for sectionals the five million dollar recording contract.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If the Norris, awarded annually to the league's top defenseman, were handed out today, Brian Leetch would be a lock to win it for the third time in his career.

The New York Times - Sports

One thing's for sure: if there were a gold medal for broadcasting, I'd be a lock!

The New Yorker

Hasek would seem to be a lock for the team, along with Nashville Predators goalie Tomas Vokoun.

The New York Times

If No. 3 Penn State (7-0) wins out, it would seem to be a lock for one of the two top spots because No. 1 Texas (6-0) aNo.No. 2 Alabama (6-0) must navigate tough schedules and conference championship games.

The New York Times - Sports

Likewise, the iPhone 5 would seem to be a lock for the June timeframe because, well, that's what happens every year.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be a lock for" when you want to express a high degree of certainty about a future event or outcome, often in situations where someone or something is almost guaranteed to succeed or be selected. For example, "Given her qualifications, she "would be a lock for" the job."

Common error

Avoid using "would be a lock for" when the situation still involves significant uncertainty or risk. Overusing it can undermine your credibility if the predicted outcome does not occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be a lock for" functions as a predictive expression, indicating a high probability or near certainty of a particular outcome. Ludwig confirms this with examples showing its use in contexts where success or selection is strongly anticipated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would be a lock for" is a colloquial expression used to convey a high degree of certainty or strong likelihood about a future event or outcome. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase functions as a predictive expression and is generally used in neutral to informal contexts, predominantly within news and media. While grammatically correct, overusing it in situations with significant uncertainty can diminish credibility. Consider alternatives like "is guaranteed to win" or "is virtually assured of" for formal settings or when a more nuanced expression of probability is needed. Ultimately, using "would be a lock for" appropriately can effectively communicate a strong sense of confidence and anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a shoo-in for

Replaces "would be" with a more emphatic expression of certainty.

is guaranteed to win

Focuses on the outcome of winning as almost certain.

is certain to secure

Emphasizes the act of securing something as highly probable.

is virtually assured of

Indicates a high degree of assurance regarding a particular outcome.

is all but certain to

Highlights that the outcome is nearly guaranteed, with minimal doubt.

is highly likely to achieve

Emphasizes the high probability of achieving a specific goal or outcome.

is expected to easily

Conveys an expectation of ease and success in achieving something.

is poised to dominate

Suggests a position of strength and anticipated dominance in a given context.

is set to clinch

Implies that all necessary steps are in place to secure a favorable result.

is on track to definitely

Emphasizes progress and a strong likelihood of achieving a defined outcome.

FAQs

How to use "would be a lock for" in a sentence?

Use "would be a lock for" to express a strong likelihood or certainty about a future event. For instance, "If he continues to perform this well, he "would be a lock for" MVP."

What can I say instead of "would be a lock for"?

You can use alternatives like "is a shoo-in for", "is guaranteed to win", or "is certain to secure" depending on the context.

Is "would be a lock for" formal or informal?

"Would be a lock for" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is highly likely to" or "is virtually assured of".

When is it appropriate to use "would be a lock for"?

It is appropriate to use "would be a lock for" when you have a strong reason to believe that something is very likely to happen, based on current evidence or trends. Avoid using it if the outcome is still highly uncertain.