English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
General

lockdown

What does lockdown mean?

Describes a defender so effective they neutralize the player they guard.

"He's a lockdown defender — he erased their star."

Origin

'Locking down' an opponent defensively.

Frequently asked questions

What does lockdown mean in basketball?
It describes an elite defender who completely shuts down the offensive player they're guarding, neutralizing their scoring.
What is a lockdown defender?
A player known for smothering on-ball defense who can 'erase' an opponent's best scorer over the course of a game.
Where does the term lockdown come from?
It comes from the idea of 'locking down' an opponent defensively, sealing them off from doing what they want.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.