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
Each year, the list of attendees is kept under lock and key, with the event's co-chairs and official Vogue red carpet hosts usually being announced ahead of time.
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Angela Law, refinery29.com, 1 May 2024
But unlike in earlier eras, when embedding with a campaign at least provided reporters with regular access to the candidate, the contenders for second place largely remained under lock and key.
—Kyle Paoletta, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Penthouses and a rooftop remain under lock and key until later in 2024.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Dec. 2023
And, along with brazen retail thefts that have forced stores to keep common products under lock and key, the incessant porch-pirating has added new challenges to shopping.
—Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for under lock and key 
Angela Law, refinery29.com, 1 May 2024
But unlike in earlier eras, when embedding with a campaign at least provided reporters with regular access to the candidate, the contenders for second place largely remained under lock and key.
—Kyle Paoletta, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Penthouses and a rooftop remain under lock and key until later in 2024.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Dec. 2023
And, along with brazen retail thefts that have forced stores to keep common products under lock and key, the incessant porch-pirating has added new challenges to shopping.
—Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for under lock and key
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'under lock and key.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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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 27 Jul. 2024.
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