What are the definitions of “lock yourself away”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Go somewhere away from people to study or work.
ILOCK MYSELF AWAY for a few weeks before exams.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “lock yourself away”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb lock yourself away is to go somewhere away from people to study or work. It usually implies that someone wants to focus on a task without any distractions or interruptions.
What are the different verb forms of “lock yourself away”?
| Root Verb | lock yourself away |
| Third Person Singular Present | locks themselves away |
| Present Participle | locking themselves away |
| Simple Past | locked themselves away |
| Past Participle | locked themselves away |
Example
I need to lock myself away to finish this project on time.
Example
She locks herself away in her room when she needs to concentrate.
Example
They are locking themselves away to prepare for the big presentation.
Example
He locked himself away for a week to study for the exam.
Example
They had locked themselves away to write their thesis.
What kind of phrasal verb is “lock yourself away”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“lock yourself away” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
She locked herself away to study for the test.
Example
He locked himself away in his office to work on the report.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“lock yourself away” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She locked herself away to study for the test.
Example
He locked himself away in his office to work on the report.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “lock yourself away”?
Good things to know
Does “lock yourself away” have an informal or formal tone?
Lock yourself away is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and more formal settings, depending on the context. However, in very formal situations, it might be more appropriate to use alternatives such as 'isolate oneself' or 'seclude oneself'.
