Definition of lock up

lock upphrasal verb

khóa lại

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The phrase "lock up" originated in the mid-19th century in the context of securing a place or object by locking it up. The term "lock up" was first used in reference to jails and prisons, where prisoners were literally locked up in their cells at night as a security measure. The phrase gained popularity during this time and came to be used more broadly to describe the act of securing and making safe any place, object, or situation. Today, "lock up" can refer to anything from securing a building overnight to putting away leftovers in a refrigerator. The meaning of the phrase has evolved over time, but its origins can be traced back to the time-honored practice of securing prisoners in cells.

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to put something in a safe place that can be locked

để đặt một cái gì đó ở một nơi an toàn có thể khóa được

Example:
  • All the valuables were safely locked away.

    Mọi đồ vật có giá trị đều được khóa an toàn.

to put money into an investment that you cannot easily turn into cash

đầu tư tiền vào một khoản đầu tư mà bạn không thể dễ dàng chuyển thành tiền mặt

Example:
  • Their capital is all locked up in property.

    Toàn bộ vốn của họ đều nằm trong bất động sản.