lock in
phrasal verb
To enter a state of deep focus
What does lock in mean?
To “lock in” means to enter a state of deep focus. The phrase is typically used to reference taking on a task or goal that requires intense concentration. Locking in is all about removing distractions and staying committed to the task at hand.
Examples of lock in
Achieving your goals in 2025 isn’t just about the work, it’s about what you’re willing to give up to lock in and stay consistent. Stay focused Fellas.
—@xeliousa, X (formerly Twitter), 31 Dec. 2024
Discipline with handling your own personal finances just requires you to lock in for a bit until you learn a rhythm that works with your life.
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“That championship is the reason why I’m here today,’’ [Carmelo] Anthony said. “… The championship was my foundation coming into the NBA. “I had that,” he continued, “so the only thing for me was I had to build on top of that. Be consistent, become a great pro, work out, train, lock in, commit to the game of basketball. Oh, and try to win a championship.”
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Where does lock in come from?
This sense of lock in has been in use on the internet since at least the 2000s. The phrase’s rising popularity on social media is often attributed to its use in sports and among video game streamers. Early uses of lock in have also been linked to a military sense of the phrase (“locking in” or zeroing in on a target), though it’s unclear if the current slang sense is related.
How is lock in used?
As a verb, lock in is typically used for any situation that requires an intense amount of concentration and commitment to achieve the desired outcome.
Lock in is also sometimes used as a noun, as in the Great Lock In, which is a popular social media trend that challenges people to commit to their goals before the new year.
The Great Lock In encourages people to, well, lock in. It’s a challenge, a bit like 75 Hard, but instead of 75 days, focus for 121 days to see success. Whatever goals you want to reach, don’t wait until January 1 to make resolutions or the beginning of the summer to start working out, start now to make big differences in your life.
—… people doing the Great Lock In began on Sept. 1 (a date that some on social media noted fell, aptly, on a Monday), and are meant to work toward their goals through the remainder of 2025, rather than treating the goals as New Year’s resolutions …
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