lock someone up and throw away the key: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  USUKWorldwideinformalidiomaticemphatic
  • To imprison a person for a very long time or indefinitely; to remove a person from society and make their release unlikely or impossible, often used hyperbolically.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The judge threatened to lock him up and throw away the key if he committed another offense.

    El juez amenazó con encerrarlo y tirar la llave si cometía otro delito.

  • Some people believe that serious criminals should be locked up and the key thrown away to protect society.

    Algunas personas creen que los criminales graves deberían ser encarcelados sin posibilidad de salir para proteger a la sociedad.

  • If she ever hurts someone again, they'll lock her up and throw away the key without hesitation.

    Si alguna vez lastima a alguien de nuevo, la encarcelarán sin dudar y tirarán la llave.