tide

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C,U] a regular rise and fall in the level of the sea, caused by the pull of the moon and sun; the flow of water that happens as the sea rises and falls: the ebb and flow of the tide * The tide is in / out. * Is the tide coming in or going out? * The body was washed up on the beach by the tide. seealsoHIGHTIDE, LOWTIDE, NEAPTIDE, SPRINGTIDE 2 [C,usually sing.] the direction in which the opinion of a large number of people seems to be moving: It takes courage to speak out against the tide of opinion. * There is a growing tide of opposition to the idea. * a tide of optimism 3 [C,usually sing.] a large amount of sth unpleasant that is increasing and is difficult to control: There is anxiety about the rising tide of crime. * Measures have been taken to stem the tide of pornography (= stop it from getting worse). 4 [sing.] ~ of sth a feeling that you suddenly have that gets stronger and stronger: A tide of rage surged through her. 5 [sing.] (old use) (in compounds) a time or season of the year: Christmastide IDIOMS go, swim, etc. with / against the tide to agree with/oppose the attitudes or opinions that most other people have the tide turned