Discussion: The concept of "lock" can be signed various ways in ASL
depending on your meaning.
A common way to sign "lock" as in "to lock" or "I locked the door" is to use a
single movement version of the sign KEY. The sign looks like you are
turning a key in a lock.
LOCK / to lock / locked it:
LOCKED / the lock / it is locked up:
If you mean "lock" as in "the lock" (rather than the state of "being locked")
you can use the "LOCKED" sign (the one that uses two "fists") if you have
enough context. However if it is not "very obvious" from the rest of
your sentence or the situation in which you are signing that you are
referring to "a" lock rather than "to" lock (the verb form) you should just
fingerspell "L-O-C-K." For example you might sign: "IX-(point
at the lock) fs-LOCK BROKE" to mean "the lock is broken."
The "key turn in a lock" sign can be used to create an idiom that means "stop
talking" (and start using your hands to sign).
LOCK-your-vocal-cords / turn your voice off / stop speaking and instead use your
hands to communicate / Voices off / immersion
Notes:
Also see: LOCKED
Also see: KEY
Compare with: START
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