echar la llave: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  SpainLatin Americaneutral
  • To fasten or secure a door, lock, or similar closure with a key; to lock.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Antes de salir de casa, siempre echo la llave para asegurarme de que la puerta quede bien cerrada.

    Before leaving the house, I always lock the door to make sure it is properly closed.

  • ¿Podrías echar la llave cuando salgas? No quiero que nadie entre sin permiso.

    Could you lock the door when you leave? I don't want anyone to come in without permission.

  • El guardia echó la llave con cuidado para no dañar la cerradura antigua.

    The guard carefully locked the door to avoid damaging the old lock.

  • No eches la llave todavía; necesitamos que alguien más entre a revisar la habitación.

    Don't lock the door yet; we need someone else to come in and check the room.

• 2.

  SpainLatin Americaneutralfigurative
  • To close, shut down, or bar access to an establishment, institution, or activity, often implying a final or decisive closure.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Debido a la crisis, la empresa tuvo que echar la llave y despedir a muchos empleados.

    Due to the crisis, the company had to shut down and lay off many employees.

  • El bar echó la llave después de diez años funcionando en el barrio, dejando a todos tristes.

    The bar closed its doors after ten years operating in the neighborhood, leaving everyone sad.

  • Si la tienda no mejora sus ventas, pronto echarán la llave y cerrarán para siempre.

    If the store doesn't improve its sales, they will soon shut down and close forever.