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Showing results for under lock and key. Search instead for undertecknanden.
Definitions

under lock and key

ADJECTIVE
captive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
caged enslaved imprisoned incommunicado
STRONG
bound
WEAK
confined ensnared in custody incarcerated jailed locked up penned restricted subjugated
Antonyms
WEAK
disillusioned free independent loose uninterested
ADJECTIVE
safe
Synonyms
STRONGEST
intact protected secure
STRONG
okay snug
WEAK
cherished free from danger guarded home free impervious impregnable in safety inviolable invulnerable maintained out of danger out of harm's way preserved safe and sound safeguarded sheltered shielded sitting pretty tended unassailable undamaged under one's wing unharmed unhurt uninjured unmolested unscathed unthreatened vindicated watched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
insecure unprotected
WEAK
dangerous exposed harmful incautious poisonous risky unguarded unsafe unthoughtful vulnerable
VERB
behind bars
Synonyms
WEAK
confined imprisoned in jail in prison incarcerated jailed put away serving time

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The sorrows that trouble him he keeps under lock and key.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

The driver was arrested and the van was towed away, put under lock and key at a local impound yard.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2025

They still use equipment the Yankees donated in 2019 during MLB’s debut in Europe — baseball’s are in sparse supply in the U.K., so the Mets keep their gameday stockpile under lock and key.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 6, 2024

But in contrast to the rival port of Southampton on the south coast, Portsmouth's actual "family silver" is staying under lock and key, certainly not for sale.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2024

This was where Jinx had stashed the extra elixir under lock and key.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool