# lock into

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lock-into
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to commit to a plan, contract, or price so that you cannot easily change it later.

For teachers: to bind a person or entity to a specific course of action, agreement, or financial arrangement, typically making it difficult to withdraw or alter the terms. The verb is frequently used reflexively or in the passive voice to describe contractual obligations.

## Examples

- You should lock into this low interest rate before it changes.
- The mobile phone provider tried to lock me into a two-year contract that was very expensive to cancel.
- Investors are often hesitant to lock themselves into long-term capital commitments during periods of extreme market volatility.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The contract locks us into pay a monthly fee." but "The contract locks us into paying a monthly fee." — The preposition 'into' must be followed by a noun or a gerund, not the base form of a verb.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by a noun representing a contract, a rate, or a specific period of time.
- Teaching tip: Focus on the 'trap' metaphor; it implies that once the decision is made, the person is 'locked' inside that choice like a room.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.