under lock and key
English edit
Pronunciation edit
Audio (AU): (file)
Prepositional phrase edit
- (US, UK, idiomatic) imprisoned with little or no chance of escape; locked up.
- If it was him we can have him under lock and key in 24 hours.
- (US, UK, idiomatic) safely guarded; locked away.
- 2008, Edward J. McMillan, Model Policies and Procedures for Not-for-Profit Organizations, page 239:
- It is the policy of the organization to keep unused check supplies safeguarded under lock and key.
Translations edit
imprisoned — see behind bars