# lock someone up and throw away the key

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lock-someone-up-and-throw-away-the-key
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To lock someone up in prison indefinitely.

## Examples

- 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.

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