verb
/ˈtaɪ/ ties; tied; tying /ˈtajɪŋ/
[+ obj] :to attach (someone or something) to something with a string, rope, etc.
[+ obj] :to pass (something, such as a string, ribbon, or rope) around itself in a way that attaches it to something or holds it in place :to make a knot or bow in (something)
to close or hold (something) with a string, rope, etc., that is attached to it or wrapped around it [+ obj]
to make the score of a game or contest equal [+ obj]
[no obj] :to end a game, race, etc., with the same score or in the same position as another person or team
[+ obj] :to achieve the same score, time, etc., as (a person, a record, etc.)
[+ obj] :to connect (someone or something) to another person or thing - usually used as (be) tied to
[+ obj] :to cause or require (someone) to be somewhere, do something, etc.
fit to be tied
tie down
[phrasal verb]
tie (something or someone) down or tie down (something or someone) :to attach (something or someone) especially to a flat surface by using string, rope, etc.
tie (someone) down or tie down (someone) :to limit the freedom of (someone)
tie in
[phrasal verb]
to be related or connected to something - + to or with
tie in (something) or tie (something) in :to connect (something) to something else - + to or with
tie off
[phrasal verb]
tie off (something) or tie (something) off
to fasten or hold (something) by tying a knot or bow at its end
to close (something) with string, thread, etc.
tie one on
US informal + old-fashioned :to become drunk
tie on the feedbag
tie the knot
tie up
[phrasal verb]
tie up or tie (something) up or tie up (something) :to become attached or to attach (something) to a fixed object with a string, rope, etc.
tie (something) up or tie up (something)
to deal with (something) in order to complete something
b US :to prevent the use or progress of (something)
tie up (money) in (something) or tie (money) up in (something) :to invest (money) in (something) in a way that prevents it from being used for some other purpose
usually used as (be) tied up in
tie up with (something) or be tied up with (something) :to be connected or related to (something)
tie (someone) up or tie up (someone)
to tie rope, tape, etc., around the body, arms, or legs of (someone) in order to keep that person from moving or escaping
to prevent (someone) from doing other things or from going to a particular place
usually used as (be) tied up
tie yourself (up) in knots
noun
plural ties
[count] necktie
a piece of string, ribbon, cord, etc., that is used for fastening, joining, or closing something
something (such as an idea, interest, experience, or feeling) that is shared by people or groups and that forms a connection between them - usually plural
a responsibility that limits a person's freedom to do other things
the final result of a game, contest, etc., in which two or more people or teams finish with the same number of points, votes, etc. - usually singular
a situation in which two or more people or teams have the same number of points, votes, etc., in a game or contest - usually singular
US :one of the heavy pieces of wood to which the rails of a railroad are fastened - called also (Brit) sleeper
Brit sports :a match in a sports competition (such as a soccer or tennis tournament) in which the loser is eliminated