locked

/lɒk/ (bre, ipa) · [lˈɑkt] /lɑːk/ (ame, ipa)

locked — verb

  • lockedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • lockeds3rd person singular
  • lockeding-ing form
  • lockededpast simple

1. to make a door, gate, window, bicycle, or similar thing secure with a key, code,

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

to make a door, gate, window, bicycle, or similar thing secure with a key, code, or lock, or to become secure in that way.

例句

Christopher locked the front door before the children fell asleep.

lock + door/gate/window

At sunset, the shop owner locked the gate and counted the cash.

同義詞
  • secure

    broader and can describe making something safe without using a lock

  • bolt

    stresses fastening with a bolt rather than a general lock

  • fasten

    broader and common with buttons, straps, and zips

反義詞
  • unlock

    means to remove the lock or security mechanism

  • open

    changes the position, but does not always involve a lock

文法句型

lock + door/gate/window

be locked

lock + bike to + railing

用法筆記

This sense is about making something shut and secure against opening. Distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on putting something away in a safe place.

常見錯誤

❌I locked the lamp before bed.
✅I turned off the lamp before bed.
💡'locked' is used for things that can be secured shut, not for electrical devices.

2. to put something important into a protected place and shut it behind a lock so o

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to put something important into a protected place and shut it behind a lock so other people cannot reach or take it.

例句

Owen locked the passports in the hotel safe before breakfast.

lock + valuables in + safe place

Apinya locked her grandmother's ring in a metal box upstairs.

同義詞
  • lock away

    close near-synonym that strongly suggests keeping others from reaching it

  • store

    means put somewhere for later use, but does not itself imply a lock

  • stash

    more informal and often suggests hiding something quickly

反義詞
  • take out

    removes the item from the safe place instead of keeping it there

  • leave out

    means not putting the item in a protected place

文法句型

lock + item + in + drawer/safe/cabinet

lock + item + inside + box/case

lock away + valuables/medicines

用法筆記

The object is usually something you want to protect, hide, or keep away from other people. Distinguish from sense 1, where the thing being locked is the door, gate, or other barrier itself.

常見錯誤

❌I locked my wallet on the table.
✅I locked my wallet in the drawer.
💡this sense needs a protected place that holds the item inside it.

3. to get jammed and stay in the same position, unable to move freely.

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to get jammed and stay in the same position, unable to move freely.

例句

Darius pulled the suitcase handle, but it locked halfway up.

lock in one position

During the emergency stop, both wheels locked on the wet road.

wheels locked during braking

同義詞
  • jam

    common when something sticks and cannot move

  • seize

    often used for machines or metal parts that stop moving

  • stick

    broader and often less sudden or severe

反義詞
  • free

    means to make the stuck part able to move again

  • loosen

    suggests reducing the tightness that caused the problem

文法句型

wheel/gear locked

lock in + position

lock together

用法筆記

This sense describes a part that should move but suddenly stops moving. It often appears with machines, vehicle parts, or body joints.