lock in

To keep someone or something inside a place by locking its door.

• Please don’t lock me in.
• She locked the dog in the kitchen.
• We lock the bikes in the garage at night.

How to use it: lock someone/something in (She locked the dog in while she opened the gate.); lock someone/something in a place (He locked the tools in a cupboard.)

Similar words: shut in, confine

Opposites: let out, release

Common phrases: lock someone in, lock something in

To agree on a price, rate, or result so it cannot change.

• You can lock in this price today.
• We locked in a low interest rate before rates rose.
• Have you locked in your profits yet?

How to use it: lock in something at an amount (We locked in our energy price at a lower rate.)

Similar words: fix, secure

Common phrases: lock in something, lock in profits, lock in rates

To keep someone or something inside, safe from change, loss, or escape.

• This cream locks in moisture.
• He locked us in and took the key.
• The contract has locked customers in for years.

How to use it: lock someone/something in (The long contract locks customers in for two years.); lock someone into something (The deal locked us into an expensive service.)

Similar words: trap, retain

Opposites: release

Common phrases: lock in moisture, lock in customers, lock someone in

To give all your attention to a task or goal.

• Put your phone away and lock in.
• She locked in and finished the whole assignment.
• We need to lock in for tomorrow’s match.

How to use it: lock in for something (We need to lock in for the final round.)

Similar words: concentrate, focus

Common phrases: lock in mentally, lock in now

To play music together with exactly the same beat.

• The drums and bass lock in beautifully.
• After a few bars, the musicians locked in.
• Can you lock in with the drummer on this section?

How to use it: lock in with someone (The bassist locked in with the drummer.)

Similar words: synchronize

Common phrases: lock in together, lock in rhythmically