lock away

lock away

1. To lock something in a container or storage space. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "away." It's very important that dangerous cleaning products are locked away when your children start crawling around the house. I locked our valuables away in a wall-mounted safe before we left for our vacation.
2. To incarcerate someone in some place, especially prison, indefinitely or for a very long time. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "away." I hope they lock that crazy drunk driver away—he nearly killed me! In the old days, they'd lock you away for showing the symptoms of schizophrenia.
3. To isolate oneself from others; to shut oneself off from social contact. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "lock" and "away." I absolutely need to study before my big exam on Monday, so I'm going to lock myself away for the weekend.
See also: away, lock
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lock someone or something away

to put someone or something away in a locked container or space. You will have to lock all the medications away when the grandchildren come to visit. They locked away some cash for a rainy day. They locked it away.
See also: away, lock
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

lock away

v.
1. To put something in a locked space or container, especially for safekeeping: Fortunately, we had locked away most of our valuables before the burglary. I always lock my jewelry away in a safe.
2. To put someone in confinement, especially prison; incarcerate someone: After I threatened to jump off a building, they locked me away in the asylum. The secret police would lock away anyone who criticized the president.
3. To seclude oneself: I'm going to lock myself away and finish this book.
See also: away, lock
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • locking
  • lock up
  • lock in
  • pick a lock
  • lock out
  • lock out of
  • bung
  • bung in
  • sluice out
  • lock horns
References in periodicals archive
He talked it over with partner Dawn, 39, and worked out he could afford to lock away pounds 200 a month for the future.
"They need to lock away gardening tools and ensure ladders are kept securely locked with a good chain and padlock.
Put a fence around garden ponds, lock away garden tools and repair any gaps in the main fence.
Police are warning owners to lock away their machines after a spate of motorbike thefts in North Tyneside.
They ruled that in times of national emergency, the Government must be able to lock away non-Britons who are a danger to the state.
Many scientists concerned about global warming are also looking for ways to lock away carbon dioxide, such as by pumping the gas into saline aquifers, oil fields, or the ocean (SN: 6/19/99, p.