lock in

present singular third person locks in · participle present locking in · participle past locked in · past locked in

1. transitiveUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: To secure (someone or something) in a locked enclosure.

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

   1 more example

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

2. transitiveTo fix the value of (something potentially variable).

   I've locked in a rate of 5%.

   1 more example

   I've got a 5% rate locked in.

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

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

   1 more example

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

4. transitiveentertainmentTo synchronize (especially a rhythm section) into a groove.
5. colloquialintransitivetransitiveTo focus entirely (on something).

   The missile's path is now locked in.

   2 more examples

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

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

   1966, Bruce Brown, director, The Endless Summer

plural lock ins

1. nonstandardNonstandard spelling of lock-in.