tie

Universal Words verb, noun verb (ties, tying, tied, tied) fasten with string / rope 1 [VN] [usually +adv./prep.] to attach or hold two or more things together using string, rope, etc.; to fasten sb/sth with string, rope, etc: She tied the newspapers in a bundle. * He had to tie her hands together. * They tied him to a chair with cable. * Shall I tie the package or tape it? * I tie back my hair when I'm cooking. 2 [VN+adv./prep.] to fasten sth to or around sth else: She tied a label on to the suitcase. * He tied an apron on and got down to work. 3 [VN] to make a knot in a piece of string, rope, etc: to tie a ribbon / tie * Tie up your shoelaces! * She tied her hair in a knot at the back of her head. * I tied a knot in the rope. 4 [V] [usually +adv./prep.] to be closed or fastened with a knot, etc: The skirt ties at the waist. connect / link 5 [VN] [usuallypassive] ~ sb/sth (to sth/sb) to connect or link sb/sth closely with sb/sth else: Pay increases are tied to inflation. * The house is tied to the job, so we'll have to move when I retire. restrict 6 [VN] [usuallypassive] ~ sb (to sth / to doing sth) to restrict sb and make them unable to do everything they want to: to be tied by a contract / promise * I want to work but I'm tied to the house with the baby. * I don't want to be tied to coming home at a particular time. in game / competition 7 (of two teams, etc.) to have the same number of points: [V] England tied 22 with Germany in the first round. * They tied for second place. * [VN] The scores are tied at 33. * Last night's vote was tied. music 8 to join notes with a tie seealsoTONGUE-TIED IDIOMS tie sb / yourself (up) in knots to become or make sb very confused: I got myself tied up in knots when I tried to explain the legal system to them. tie one on (old-fashioned, AmE, slang) to get very drunk tie the knot (informal) to get married moreatAPRON, HANDn. PHRASALVERBS tie sb down (to sth / to doing sth) to restrict sb's freedom, for example by making them accept particular conditions or by keeping them busy: Kids tie you down, don't they? * I don't want to tie myself down to coming back on a particular date. tie in (with sth) to match or agree with sth: This evidence ties in closely with what we already know. tie in (with sth)