lock in

• Audio (US):

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lock in (third-person singular simple present locks in, present participle locking in, simple past and past participle locked in)

1. (transitive) To secure (someone or something) in a locked enclosure.

   The dog won't escape now we've locked him in.

   The dog won't escape now we've locked him in the kitchen.

2. (transitive) To fix the value of (something potentially variable).

   I've locked in a rate of 5%.

   I've got a 5% rate locked in.

3. (transitive, colloquial) To prevent (someone or something) from escaping, deteriorating, or switching to an alternative.

   Our new foil packets keep the flavour of the crisps locked in.

   Companies find various ways to try to lock in a customer base by preventing the products or services from being fully fungible.

4. (transitive, music) To synchronize (especially a rhythm section) into a groove.
6. (transitive or intransitive, colloquial) To focus entirely (on something).

   Coordinate terms: lock on; home in

   I need to lock in for this exam I'm taking tomorrow.

   The missile's path is now locked in.

   • 1966, Bruce Brown, director, The Endless Summer:

     The best ride of the day was one that Robert got - really locked in, screaming at the top of his lungs.

• lock out

• lock-in (noun)

lock in (plural lock ins)

1. Nonstandard spelling of lock-in.

• Nickol, inlock