tie (t )v. tied, ty·ing (t  ng), ties v.tr.1. To fasten or secure with or as if with a cord, rope, or strap: tied the kite to a post; tie up a bundle. 2. To fasten by drawing together the parts or sides and knotting with strings or laces: tied her shoes. 3. a. To make by fastening ends or parts: tie a knot. b. To put a knot or bow in: tie a neck scarf. 4. To confine or restrict as if with cord: duties that tied him to the office. 5. To bring together in relationship; connect or unite: friends who were tied by common interests; people who are tied by blood or marriage. 6. a. To equal (an opponent or an opponent's score) in a contest. b. To equal an opponent's score in (a contest): tied the game with minutes remaining. 7. Music To join (notes) by a tie. v.intr.1. To be fastened or attached: The apron ties at the back. 2. To achieve equal scores in a contest. n.1. A cord, string, or other means by which something is tied. 2. Something that connects or unites; a link: a blood tie; marital ties. 3. A necktie. 4. A beam or rod that joins parts and gives support. 5. One of the beams, usually made of wood, that are laid across a railroad bed to secure the rails. 6. a. An equality of scores, votes, or performance in a contest: The election ended in a tie. b. A contest so resulting; a draw. 7. Music A curved line above or below two notes of the same pitch, indicating that the tone is to be sustained for their combined duration. Phrasal Verbs: tie in To bring into or have a close or effective relation; connect or coordinate: two events that do not tie in; tying the movie promotion in with the book sales. tie into To attack energetically. tie up1. Nautical To secure or be secured to a shore or pier; dock. 2. To impede the progress of; block: The accident tied up traffic. 3. To keep occupied; engage: She was tied up in a meeting all morning. The phone was tied up for an hour. 4. To place (funds) so as to make inaccessible for other uses: tied up her cash in long-term investments. Idioms: tie one on Slang To become intoxicated; go on a drinking spree. tie the knot Slang 1. To get married. 2. To perform a marriage ceremony.
[Middle English tien, from Old English t gan; see deuk- in Indo-European roots.] |
tie upvb (adverb)1. (tr) to attach or bind securely with or as if with string, rope, etc. 2. (Transport / Nautical Terms) to moor (a vessel) 3. (tr; often passive) to engage the attentions of he's tied up at the moment and can't see you 4. (tr; often passive) to conclude (the organization of something) the plans for the trip were tied up well in advance 5. to come or bring to a complete standstill 6. (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Banking & Finance) (tr) to invest or commit (funds, etc.) and so make unavailable for other uses 7. (Business / Commerce) (tr) to subject (property) to conditions that prevent sale, alienation, or other action n tie-up1. a link or connection 2. Chiefly US and Canadian a standstill 3. Chiefly US and Canadian an informal term for traffic jam
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Verb | 1. | tie up - secure with or as if with ropes; "tie down the prisoners"; "tie up the old newspapers and bring them to the recycling shed"chain up - tie up with chains; "chain up the prisoners" faggot, fagot - fasten together rods of iron in order to heat or weld them hog-tie - tie together somebody's limbs; "The prisoner was hog-tied" restrain, confine, hold - to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement; "This holds the local until the express passengers change trains"; "About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade"; "The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center"; "The terrorists held the journalists for ransom" | | 2. | tie up - invest so as to make unavailable for other purposes; "All my money is tied up in long-term investments" | | 3. | tie up - restrain from moving or operating normally; "Traffic is tied up for miles around the bridge where the accident occurred" | | 4. | tie up - secure in or as if in a berth or dock; "tie up the boat"wharf - moor at a wharf; "The ship was wharfed" fasten, fix, secure - cause to be firmly attached; "fasten the lock onto the door"; "she fixed her gaze on the man" | | 5. | tie up - finish the last rowknitting, knitwork, knit - needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine tie, bind - fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord; "They tied their victim to the chair" |
How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
|