English Reference
Idiom idiom

locked up


Imprisoned, incarcerated.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The thief was locked up for stealing a car.

CONTEXTUAL

After the judge heard all the evidence, he ordered the criminal to be locked up for five years.

COMPLEX

Following the discovery of his extensive financial crimes, the former executive was finally locked up in a high-security facility.


Related idioms3entries
  1. 01

    lock horns

    To come into conflict.

  2. 02

    lock into

    To firmly commit to (something or someone).

  3. 03

    lock someone up and throw away the key

    To lock someone up in prison indefinitely.

Last updated August 10, 2026