lock someone up and throw away the key
To lock someone up in prison indefinitely.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The judge wanted to lock him up and throw away the key.”
“After the criminal committed such a terrible crime, the public demanded that the court lock him up and throw away the key.”
“The prosecutor argued that the defendant was a danger to society and should be locked up with the key thrown away forever.”
- 01
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 02
away game
An athletic contest played away from the team's home field.
- 03
away with the fairies
Not all there; slightly crazy.
- 04
bang away
to strike or hit repeatedly
- 05
bear away the bell
To be superior in something.
- 06
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 07
beaver away
To work hard at a task.
- 08
blaze away
To fire (firearms) repeatedly.
Last updated August 10, 2026