student asking question

What does "be locked in" mean?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

If you are "locked in" a situation or process, it is impossible for you to escape or make progress from it. It is also often used to talk about commiting someone or something to a contract. Usually when talking about the terms for the length of a contract or other such agreement. Ex: Neither company wished to be locked in long discussions. Ex: If you sign that contract, you'll be locked into your lease for two years.

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