lock onto

lock onto (someone or something)

1. To use an electronic tracking system to fix onto a particular person or thing. Once the satellite locks onto the rocket's signal, we should be able to triangulate its precise location. With proton beam therapy, we lock onto the cancerous cells and deliver radiation only to the affected tissue.
2. To fix the electronic tracking system onto a particular person or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lock" and "into." The fighter pilot locked his missiles onto the enemy jet. We should be able to lock our homing system onto Jeff's tracking unit.
3. To focus one's gaze or attention completely on someone or something. She locked onto the handsome guy across the bar, making her way over to talk to him. Once she locks onto a new project, there's no getting in his way.
See also: lock
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lock something onto someone or something

 and lock something on
to attach or fix something onto someone or something. The cop locked the handcuffs onto the mugger and led him away. Andy locked his bicycle onto the signpost. See that bike rack? Lock your bike on and keep an eye on it.
See also: lock
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • lock onto (someone or something)
  • pour out onto (someone or something)
  • load onto
  • get onto
  • cabbage onto (someone or something)
  • hang onto (someone or something)
  • run onto
  • run onto (something)
  • engrave (something) onto (something)
  • nail (something) onto (something else)
References in periodicals archive
The system is designed to lock onto a specific motorcycle ahead rather than the vehicle in front.
Harley Davidson to produce group riding based cruise control
He has got the same qualities." He went on: "I think the Liverpool fans really lock onto MMA.
'This is Liverpool's year'
Despite having to swerve in the final metres to avoid a crash Swift was still able to lock onto the wheel Demare but was just unable to come around the Frenchman at the line.
Geraint bad luck goes on in Italy
The shampoo and conditioner act like a primer, which enable the shine molecules in the gloss treatment to lock onto the hair for a full 48 hours.
REV UP THE SHINE; BEAUTY notes
that US drones can lock onto the positioning data of mobile phones.
Germany's returning jihadists reveal IS brutality against its own
It also uses adaptive filtering technology, in which electronic filters lock onto sound waves and remove them, even when the drill's amplitude and frequency change, Miller said.
Don't fear the drill
It also uses 'adaptive filtering' technology, where electronic filters lock onto sound waves and remove them, even if the wave's amplitude and frequency change as the drill is being used.
New gadget sounds death-knell for ominous whine of the dentist's drill
lock onto your leg as shark and barracuda sometimes do when they lie
Bone
Suspect pushed door keys from inside back door lock onto the floor, then reached in through cat flap and retrieved them to unlock door and get inside house.
Police alert after spate of sneak-in raids
Sniper: Ghost Warrior XBOX 360, MASTERTRONIC, pounds 39.99 SHOOTER fans will know that feeling of intense control and power that comes over you when you lock onto a target with a sniper rifle, from some hidden high point or super stealthy spot in the undergrowth.
Sniper game fails to hit the target
Price: pounds 39.99 Shooter fans will know that feeling of intense control and power that comes over you when you lock onto a target with a sniper rifle from some hidden high point or spot in the undergrowth.
Toy Story's a rare spin off success
The customized beads are coated with antibodies that lock onto proteins or antigens present on E.
Two-in-one test targets E. coli in ground beef, other foods
SELF-ADJUSTING LOCKING PLIERS automatically lock onto objects of different thicknesses at a preset pressure without any use adjustment.
Self-adjusting locking pliers
Rear section with complete interrupted thread assembly for buffer to lock onto and center section with grip mounting holes intact and ejector plate in place.
IMA Demilled MG34 receivers