lock in

Verb

lock in (third-person singular simple present locks in, present participle locking in, simple past and past participle locked in)

1. (transitive) Used 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.
   • The dog won't escape now we've locked him in the kitchen.
2. (transitive) To fix the value of (something potentially variable).
   • I've locked in a rate of 5%.
   • I've got a 5% rate locked in.
3. (colloquial, transitive) To prevent (someone or something) from escaping, deteriorating, or switching to an alternative.
   • Our new foil packets keep the flavour of the crisps locked in.
   • Companies find various ways to try to lock in a customer base by preventing the products or services from being fully fungible.
4. (transitive) To synchronize (especially a rhythm section) into a groove.
5. (colloquial, intransitive, transitive) To focus entirely (on something).
   • I need to lock in for this exam I'm taking tomorrow.
   • The missile's path is now locked in.