Phrase guide

under lock and key

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Imprisoned with little or no chance of escape; locked up.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, US, idiomatic

Examples

  • If it was him we can have him under lock and key in 24 hours.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Safely guarded; locked away.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, US, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: lukkojen takana — safely guarded, locked away
  • French: sous clé — safely guarded, locked away
  • Polish: pod kluczem — safely guarded, locked away
  • Spanish: a cal y canto — safely guarded, locked away