Pronunciation: /lɑːk aʊt/

Definitions of lock out

noun a temporary denial of access to a place, service, or system

Example Sentences

A1 I forgot my keys and got locked out of the house.

A2 The lock out prevented me from entering the building.

B1 The lock out was due to a malfunction in the security system.

B2 The lock out caused a delay in our schedule.

C1 The lock out was a result of a cyber attack on the company's network.

C2 The lock out was a serious security breach that required immediate attention.

verb to prevent someone from entering a place or using a service or system

Example Sentences

A1 I accidentally locked out of my house and had to call a locksmith.

A2 She always double checks to make sure she doesn't lock out her keys.

B1 The company decided to lock out the employees who went on strike.

B2 The system automatically locks out users after multiple failed login attempts.

C1 The landlord threatened to lock out the tenants if they didn't pay their rent on time.

C2 The government's decision to lock out certain countries from trade agreements caused controversy.

Examples of lock out in a Sentence

formal The company implemented a lock out of the employees during the negotiation process.

informal They decided to lock out the workers until they reached an agreement.

slang The boss pulled a lock out on us when we asked for a raise.

figurative Her emotions were like a lock out, preventing her from connecting with others.

Grammatical Forms of lock out

past tense

locked

plural

lockouts

comparative

more locked out

superlative

most locked out

present tense

lock out

future tense

will lock out

perfect tense

have locked out

continuous tense

is locking out

singular

lock out

positive degree

lock out

infinitive

to lock out

gerund

locking out

participle

locked out

Origin and Evolution of lock out

First Known Use: 1853 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'lock out' originated in the context of labor disputes, specifically when employers would prevent workers from entering the workplace as a means of exerting pressure during negotiations.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'lock out' has come to be used in various contexts beyond labor disputes, such as in sports to describe a defensive strategy, or in technology to refer to a security measure.