lockdown

Everyday

1. A lockdown is a time when people must stay at home and many places close, to stop a disease spreading. tree →
2. A lockdown is a safety drill or emergency when everyone in a building, like a school, stays inside with doors locked because of danger outside. tree →

In the lessons

In recent history, many countries had lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic: schools closed, lessons went online, and people kept apart. At school, a lockdown drill practises what to do if there is danger outside: go inside, lock doors, stay quiet and follow the teacher. Phrases: «in lockdown», «go into lockdown», «lockdown drill», «during lockdown».

Examples

• During lockdown we had lessons on the computer. tree →
• The city went into lockdown to stop the virus. tree →
• We practised a lockdown drill at school. tree →
• In a lockdown, stay quiet and listen to your teacher. tree →
• The shops were closed during the lockdown. tree →
• I baked bread with Dad in lockdown. tree →
• The school was in lockdown until the police said it was safe. tree →
• Lockdown was hard because we missed our friends. tree →

Note

One word: lock + down. In a school lockdown drill, stay calm, follow adults and do not use your phone unless told to. A lockdown is different from an evacuation: in a lockdown you stay inside; in an evacuation you leave.