The reason why `rm -f "~/Library/Application Support/LibreOffice/*/user/.lock"` does ***not*** work is because system Terminal has a special way of recognizing spaces (Application Support). Additionally, I believe that the "-f" parameter should be a "-rf" The actual command will be: rm -rf "~/Library/Application\ Support/LibreOffice/*/user/.lock" But wait! There is also another ".lock" file that should be deleted: rm -rf "~/Library/Application\ Support/LibreOffice/4/.lock" If the error still occurs, execute the following: rm -rf "~/Library/Application\ Support/LibreOffice/4/user/.lock" The error should be fixed by now. Notice the backwards slash in between Application and Support! P.S.: This fix applies to OS X 10.9 and LibreOffice 4.2; Actual results may vary.