Antonyms for locked up

Grammar : Adj, verb

Spell : lok

Phonetic Transcription : lɒk

Definition of locked up

Origin : "means of fastening," Old English loc "bolt, fastening; barrier, enclosure," from Proto-Germanic *lukan (cf. Old Norse lok "fastening, lock," Gothic usluks "opening," Old High German loh "dungeon," German Loch "opening, hole," Dutch luik "shutter, trapdoor"). "The great diversity of meaning in the Teut. words seems to indicate two or more independent but formally identical substantival formations from the root."
The Old English sense "barrier, enclosure" led to the specific meaning "barrier on a river" (c.1300), and the more specific sense "gate and sluice system on a water channel used as a means of raising and lowering boats" (1570s). Wrestling sense is from c.1600. Phrase under lock and key attested from early 14c.

As in unavoidable : adj bound to happen
As in booked : adj arrested
As in captive : adj physically held by force
As in confined : adj limited, enclosed
As in imprison : verb confine; put in jail
As in incarcerate : verb put in jail, confinement
As in jail : verb incarcerate
As in monopolize : verb dominate, control
As in assure : verb make certain
As in possess : verb have or obtain
As in prohibit : verb make impossible; stop
As in put away : verb incarcerate
As in restrain : verb keep under control; hold back
As in secure : verb obtain
As in secure : verb attach, tie up
As in store : verb collect and put aside
As in tie/tie up : verb hamper, hinder
As in bind : verb obligate; restrict
As in tie up : verb hamper
As in cage : verb hold in enclosure
As in acquire : verb obtain or receive
As in immobilize : verb tie
As in mew : verb enclose
As in stash : verb hide
As in coop : verb confine
As in corral : verb enclose
As in affirm : verb declare the truth of something
As in enclose : verb put inside, surround
As in ensure : verb guarantee; make secure
As in forbid : verb outlaw, prohibit an action
As in get : verb come into possession of; achieve
As in have : verb be in possession
As in hide : verb conceal; remain unseen
As in hold : verb have in one's hands, possession; grasp

Example sentences :

He thought: She will have to look after the shop while they keep me locked up.
Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad

It would not do for her to break down while he was locked up?
Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad

He locked himself up as carefully as he locked up the Marshalsea debtors.
Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens

Consequently, he borrowed it all, and locked up the cellar for good.
Extract from : « The Uncommercial Traveller » by Charles Dickens

It was about midnight when poor Van Baerle was locked up in the prison of the Buytenhof.
Extract from : « The Black Tulip » by Alexandre Dumas (Pere)

He'd have come this morning, as usual, fast enough, only she locked up his clothes.
Extract from : « The Channings » by Mrs. Henry Wood

He got locked up in the cloisters last night with old Ketch and the bishop.
Extract from : « The Channings » by Mrs. Henry Wood

The day's work was over, and the factories were all locked up for the night.
Extract from : « Roden's Corner » by Henry Seton Merriman

He pointed direct at the press in which the clothes had just been locked up.
Extract from : « The Room in the Dragon Volant » by J. Sheridan LeFanu

When one had a beast of a girl like that one should keep her locked up.
Extract from : « L'Assommoir » by Emile Zola

Synonyms for locked up

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019