box and lock

English

Etymology

From the directive to keep firearms in a box that is locked so that they are only available under considered circumstances and to authorized users.

Verb

box and lock (third-person singular simple present boxes and locks, present participle boxing and locking, simple past and past participle boxed and locked)

1. To suppress or hide (something) so that it is not readily available or capable of action.
   • 2000, Claud Anderson, PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America, page 25:

     Structural racism and its monopolies have "boxed and locked” Black people.

   • 2006, Tim Gooding, The Emergence of Us, page 106:

     Eventually, the belief becomes boxed and locked away from general access.

   • 2016, Marquita Valentine, After We Fall: A Take the Fall Novel:

     There's no need for me to keep holding back from him, to keep that part of me boxed and locked up tight.

   • 2020, Becky Manawatu, Auē, page 188:

     No questions asked, shut the actual fuck up, box and lock.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see box,‎ lock.