English · Phrasal verb Attested

lock up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To imprison or incarcerate (someone).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Nhốt hoặc giam giữ ai đó

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

In 1970, a new era of "getting tough" on young offenders really began to gather momentum with the incoming Conservative government. The number of juveniles locked up each year increased by 500% between 1965 and 1980.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To put (something) away in a locked location for safekeeping; (occasionally, chiefly humorously) to sequester (a person) in a similar way.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Đặt thứ gì đó vào nơi an toàn có khóa

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To close (and often lock) all doors and windows (of a place) securely.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Đóng và khóa tất cả cửa và cửa sổ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “lock up” mean?

To imprison or incarcerate (someone).

Is “lock up” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.