What does “Lock, stock and barrel” mean?
"Lock, stock and barrel" means the entirety or everything.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I sold my car lock, stock and barrel.
Example
He bought the company lock, stock and barrel.
Example
They moved to a new city lock, stock and barrel
Is “Lock, stock and barrel” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Lock, stock and barrel” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Lock, stock and barrel” effectively in context?
You can use "Lock, stock and barrel" to emphasize that something is being done or taken in its entirety, without any exceptions or exclusions. For example, if you sold all of your belongings when moving to a new city, you could say, 'I sold my car "lock, stock and barrel".' Similarly, if someone acquires a company and takes over all aspects of it, you might say, 'He bought the company "lock, stock and barrel".'
- 1Moving
They moved to a new city lock, stock and barrel, selling their house and all their possessions.
- 2Business Acquisition
The entrepreneur purchased the struggling company lock, stock and barrel, taking control of all its assets and operations.
- 3Selling a Collection
The collector decided to sell his entire stamp collection lock, stock and barrel.
Similar phrases to “Lock, stock and barrel”:
Hook, line, and sinker
Completely or fully
Example
He fell for the prank hook, line, and sinker.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Lock, stock and barrel” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Lock, stock and barrel" dates back to the 17th century. It refers to the three main components of a musket: the lock (the firing mechanism), the stock (the wooden part), and the barrel (the metal tube). When someone purchased a musket, they would buy all three parts together. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean the entirety or everything.
Is “Lock, stock and barrel” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Lock, stock and barrel" is a well-known and frequently used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to emphasize that something is being done or taken in its entirety, without any exceptions or exclusions.
What tone does “Lock, stock and barrel” have?
"Lock, stock and barrel" conveys a tone of completeness and finality. It's often used to emphasize that every aspect or component of something is included or involved.
Can “Lock, stock and barrel” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "lock, stock and barrel" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that conveys the idea of entirety or completeness. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'They sold their house, furniture, and belongings "lock, stock and barrel".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Sold "lock, stock and barrel"!' to imply that everything was sold.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- completely
- wholly
- entirely
- in its entirety
- without exception
Antonyms
- partially
- incompletely
- partly
- with exceptions
