lock up

emprisonner, enfermer

Enfermer quelqu’un en prison ou dans un autre lieu dont il ne peut pas sortir.

En anglais simple : To put someone in prison or another place they cannot leave.

• The police locked him up.
• She was locked up for five years.
• They should not lock up innocent people.

Comment l'utiliser : lock someone up for something (They locked him up for robbery.)

Synonymes : imprison, jail

Contraires : release, free

Expressions courantes : lock someone up, lock up criminals

mettre sous clé

Mettre quelque chose dans un endroit fermé à clé pour le protéger ou en empêcher l’accès.

En anglais simple : To put something in a locked place to keep it safe or prevent access.

• Lock up your valuables.
• She locked the money up in a safe.
• Are the cleaning chemicals locked up?

Comment l'utiliser : lock something up in something (Lock the medicine up in a cabinet.)

Synonymes : secure, lock away

Expressions courantes : lock something up, lock up valuables

fermer à clé

Sécuriser un bâtiment en fermant et en verrouillant ses portes et fenêtres.

En anglais simple : To make a building secure by closing and locking its doors and windows.

• I will lock up tonight.
• She locked up the shop at six.
• Have you locked up before going to bed?

Comment l'utiliser : lock up somewhere (Please lock up the office when you leave.)

Synonymes : secure

Expressions courantes : lock up shop, lock something up

se bloquer, se figer

Cesser brusquement de bouger ou de répondre à cause d’un coincement ou d’une panne.

En anglais simple : To suddenly stop moving or responding because something gets stuck or fails.

• The brakes locked up.
• My computer keeps locking up.
• The wheels locked up when he braked hard.

Synonymes : freeze, jam, seize

Expressions courantes : brakes lock up, computer lock up

verrouiller, fermer à clé

Fermer une porte, une fenêtre ou une ouverture similaire avec une serrure.

En anglais simple : To fasten a door, window, or similar opening with a lock.

• Please lock up that door.
• He locked the gate up behind him.
• Did you lock up the back window?

Comment l'utiliser : lock something up (Remember to lock the back door up.)

Synonymes : lock

Contraires : unlock

Expressions courantes : lock up doors, lock something up

s'assurer, garantir

Rendre une victoire, un accord ou une position certaine, ou en obtenir le contrôle ferme.

En anglais simple : To make a victory, deal, or position certain, or gain firm control over it.

• They locked up the title.
• The company has locked up a major contract.
• One more win would lock up the championship.

Comment l'utiliser : lock up something (She locked up the nomination with those votes.)

Synonymes : secure, clinch

Expressions courantes : lock up victory, lock up a deal