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Vocabulary : Idioms : U : under lock and key

under lock and key

Meaning: If something is under lock and key, it is kept in a very secure place.

For example:

  • Make sure these documents are under lock and key until we need them.

  • Poor Josie. Her parents were very strict and they kept her under lock and key throughout her childhood, so she never learned about life's dangers.

Quick Quiz:

The medicines are kept under lock and key so that
  1. they can't be used
  2. we can get them quickly
  3. the children can't get them