English

Verb

throw away the key

1. To never release someone (e.g., from prison).

   They should just lock them up and throw away the key.

   • 1995 November 19, “Senators Pete Domenici and John Breaux Discuss the Shutdown of the Federal Government”, in CBS_FaceNation:

     Let's get these men together in a room and I would suggest feed them bread and water and throw away the key until they come together