Cool MateLock it vs Secure
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Lock it
Top 2,000 (common)
Secure
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most common: Secure
| Lock it | Secure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lɒk ɪt//🇺🇸 //lɑk ɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/sɪˈkjʊə(r)/","/sɪˈkjʊəz/","/sɪˈkjʊəd/","/sɪˈkjʊərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/sɪˈkjʊr/","/sɪˈkjʊrz/","/sɪˈkjʊrd/","/sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To secure something by closing it. | To make safe or protect something. |
| Example | Make sure to lock it before you leave the house. | We need to secure the doors before we leave for the night. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | lock it up, lock it down, lock it securely | easily, safely, eventually, be able to, manage to, fail to, an attempt to secure something, an effort to secure something, be aimed at securing something, firmly, properly, tightly, to, with |
| Antonyms | - | danger, unsecure, risk |
| Common mistakes | Confuse with 'unlock it', which means to open something., Omitting the object, e.g., saying 'lock' without specifying what is locked. | Confused with 'ensure' - 'ensure' means to make sure something happens., Using 'secured' as an adjective when it should be a verb., Misplacing the emphasis on the second syllable. |
| Usage notes | Use 'lock it' when referring to securing doors, cabinets, or devices. Suitable for most contexts. Avoid slang situations. | Used to indicate making something safe, but can also mean to obtain or achieve something. More common in formal contexts when referring to safety and in neutral situations for obtaining. |
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Frequently asked questions: Lock it vs Secure
What's the difference between Lock it and Secure?
Lock it: To secure something by closing it. Secure: To make safe or protect something.
Which is more common: Lock it and Secure?
Secure is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Lock it: Make sure to lock it before you leave the house. Secure: We need to secure the doors before we leave for the night.
Can I use Lock it and Secure interchangeably?
Not always. Lock it and Secure are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.