under lock and key

phrase

: 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
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.
At the time, material regarding 1898 was literally kept under lock and key. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026 The fact is the Original 13 state keeps some paperwork under lock and key for 100 years to everyone except the participants. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 July 2026 The A-list couple is rumored to be celebrating their matrimony on Friday, July 3, at Madison Square Garden, though most details about the big day remain under lock and key. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Rhymes for under lock and key

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Browse Nearby Words

underload switch
under lock and key
underlook
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Cite this Entry

“Under lock and key.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20lock%20and%20key. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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