under lock and key
idiom
: in a room, box, etc., that is locked
The jewels are kept under lock and key.
The prisoner is being kept/held under lock and key.
Examples of under lock and key in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Now, in many California cities, even the most basic pharmacy products are under lock and key.
—
The Editors, National Review, 25 Oct. 2024
That's an exotic, unlikely scenario, but the Secure Core server scheme guarantees your information is protected from your computer to the Secure Core server, which is under lock and key.
—PCMAG, 23 Oct. 2024
This baller pour is brought to your table under lock and key, rolled on a custom cart to ensure the bottle is undisturbed.
—Jeanne O'Brien Coffey, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Only cosmetics and detergent were stored under lock and key.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for under lock and key 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
The Editors, National Review, 25 Oct. 2024
That's an exotic, unlikely scenario, but the Secure Core server scheme guarantees your information is protected from your computer to the Secure Core server, which is under lock and key.
—PCMAG, 23 Oct. 2024
This baller pour is brought to your table under lock and key, rolled on a custom cart to ensure the bottle is undisturbed.
—Jeanne O'Brien Coffey, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Only cosmetics and detergent were stored under lock and key.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for under lock and key
Dictionary Entries Near under lock and key
Cite this Entry
“Under lock and key.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20lock%20and%20key. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share