Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To secure or fasten something by tying with rope, string, or cord: To make something immobile or bundled by binding it.
   • To occupy or engage someone or something completely, preventing other activity: To cause a person, system, or resource to be unavailable or busy.
   • To invest or commit (funds or capital) in a way that makes them inaccessible for other uses: To allocate money or assets into long-term or illiquid holdings.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To be or become fastened or secured by tying: The state of being bound.
   • To be or become busy or obstructed: To reach a state where normal operation or movement is hindered.

Usage Examples

• Verb (transitive):

  • Please tie up the boat before the storm arrives.
  • The manager will tie up the final details of the contract tomorrow.
  • The accident tied up traffic for hours.
  • He decided to tie up his savings in a five-year certificate of deposit.

• Verb (intransitive):

  • The package is tied up with a red ribbon.
  • Don't call the office now; the phone lines are tied up with customer inquiries.

Advanced Usage

• "to tie up loose ends": To complete the minor, unfinished details of a task or project.

  • Before going on vacation, she needed a day to tie up loose ends at work.

• "to be tied up": To be very busy or occupied; to be in a meeting or otherwise unavailable.

  • I'm tied up in a conference until 3 PM, but I'll call you back after.

Variants and Related Words

• Tie-up (noun): A stoppage or standstill, often in traffic or business operations.

  • The protest caused a major tie-up on the highway.

• Tied up (adjective): Describing the state of being busy, secured, or invested.

  • Her schedule is tied up all week.

Synonyms

• Fasten: To attach or secure something.
• Bind: To tie or secure tightly.
• Engage: To occupy or involve.
• Immobilize: To prevent from moving or operating.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Tie down: To restrict or limit someone's freedom or movement.

  • His new responsibilities tie him down to the office.

• Tie in: To connect or be related to something else.

  • How does this new evidence tie in with the original theory?

Related Idioms

• Tied to someone's apron strings: To be excessively controlled by or dependent on someone (often a mother or spouse).

  • He's 35 but still seems tied to his mother's apron strings.

• Tongue-tied: Unable to speak clearly or fluently due to nervousness or shyness.

  • She was tongue-tied when she met her favorite author.

Verb

1. finish the last row
2. secure in or as if in a berth or dock
   • tie up the boat
3. restrain from moving or operating normally
   • Traffic is tied up for miles around the bridge where the accident occurred
4. invest so as to make unavailable for other purposes
   • All my money is tied up in long-term investments
5. secure with or as if with ropes
   • tie down the prisoners
   • tie up the old newspapers and bring them to the recycling shed