Pronunciation: [lˈɒk ˈʌp] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "lock up" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first word "lock" is pronounced /lɒk/, with the "o" making a short "ah" sound. The second word "up" is pronounced /ʌp/, with a short "uh" sound followed by a "p" sound. Together, the phrase means to secure something in a locked position. It is commonly used to refer to locking doors or possessions in a safe or secure location.
Lock up (phrasal verb):
1. To secure or fasten something firmly with a lock or other means to prevent it from being opened or accessed. It typically refers to the action of securing a door, gate, or container.
Example: "Please lock up the house before leaving to ensure its security."
2. To detain someone or something in a closed or confined space, often against their will.
Example: "The police will lock up any individuals who are found to be engaging in criminal activities."
3. To place someone in a prison or jail, keeping them confined for a period of time as a punishment or for legal reasons.
Example: "The judge decided to lock up the convicted criminal for ten years."
4. To invest or tie up funds, assets, or resources, making them unavailable or inaccessible for other purposes.
Example: "The company decided to lock up its profits to reinvest them in research and development."
5. To become stiff or immobile due to muscle cramps, injury, or paralysis.
Example: "After a long day of physical activity, his legs would often lock up, causing considerable discomfort."
Overall, lock up can refer to the act of securing something with a lock, detaining or imprisoning someone, restricting access to assets, or experiencing muscle stiffness.
A temporary prison; dead-lock, a complication or counteraction of things producing an entire stoppage.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The term "lock up" has a straightforward etymology. It is derived from the combination of the noun "lock" and the particle "up".
The noun "lock" originates from the Old English word "loc", which referred to a device used for fastening or securing something. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "lukaz". The original meaning of "lock" was a mechanism to keep doors, chests, or other structures firmly closed.
The particle "up" is a versatile English word that adds the sense of action or completion to certain verbs. In the case of "lock up", it emphasizes the act of securing something completely.
Therefore, the etymology of "lock up" simply expresses the action of fastening or securing something completely.
