wire

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [U,C] metal in the form of thin thread; a piece of this: a coil of copper wire * a wire rack / basket * The box was fastened with a rusty wire. seealsoBARBEDWIRE, HIGHWIRE, TRIPWIRE 2 [C,U] a piece of wire that is used to carry an electric current or signal: overhead wires * fuse wire * The telephone wires had been cut. seealsoHOT-WIRE 3 (the wire) [sing.] a wire fence: Three prisoners escaped by crawling under the wire. 4 [C] (informal, especially AmE) = TELEGRAM: We sent a wire asking him to join us. seealsoWIRY IDIOMS get your wires crossed (informal) to become confused about what sb has said to you so that you think they meant sth else: We seem to have got our wires crossed. I thought you were coming on Tuesday. go, come, etc. (right) down to the wire (informal) if you say that a situation goes down to the wire, you mean that the result will not be decided or known until the very end moreatLIVE, PULLv. verb 1 [VN] ~ sth (up) to connect a building, piece of equipment, etc. to an electricity supply using wires: Make sure the plug is wired up correctly. 2 [VN] ~ sb/sth up (to sth)