- tie
- tie tie [taɪ] verb tied PTandPP tying PRESPARTtie up phrasal verb [transitive]1. tie ↔ something up to use money for something so that it is not easily available to be used for anything else:
• These securities could be a good choice for investors who can afford to tie up their money for two to seven years.
tie up in• Her cash is all tied up in real estate.
• The bank had too high a percentage of its assets, about 20%, tied up in one borrower.
2. to use a telephone line so that it cannot be used for anything else or by anyone else:• With broadband, your phone line will never need to be tied up again.
3. be tied up to be very busy so that you do not have time to see someone or to do something:• I can't see you tomorrow — I'm going to be tied up all day.
4. to finish arranging all the details of a contract, deal, or plan:• Our sales team were able to tie up a new contract.
5. to block the movement of vehicles or people so that they cannot move freely:• There's a free roadside service for stranded vehicles that tie up traffic.
if one organization ties up with another, they decide to work together as partners on a particular activity:• Neither airline has announced plans to tie up with a foreign carrier.
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Ⅰ.tie UK US /taɪ/ verb (tying, tied, tied)► [T] to connect two things in a way that limits other possibilities: tie sth to sth »We now have the option of tying funding to environmental conditions.
»Pay and promotions in the organization are tied to performance.
tie sb to sth »Many of the bank's employees were tied to their jobs because they were worried about losing their pension schemes.
► [I or T] to have the same score or level in a game, competition, or comparison, or to make the scores the same: tie for first/second/last, etc. place »Frederick and Fairfax counties each reported 4.2% job growth, tying for 18th place in the US as a whole.
tie the score/record »The temperature in the afternoon hit 97 degrees, tying the record for June 2.
Ⅱ.tie UK US /taɪ/ noun► [C, usually plural] a personal or financial connection or relationship between people, organizations, countries, etc.: ties with sb/sth »He makes no apologies for his ties with the failed bank.
»The two leading bidders have close ties with American media groups.
break/cut/sever ties »One of the world's biggest hotel operators severed its ties with the popular travel website.
diplomatic/economic/political ties »The president urged governments worldwide to break diplomatic ties with the oppressive regime.
► [C] (US also necktie) WORKPLACE a long thin piece of material that is worn under a shirt collar, especially by men, and tied in a knot at the front: »Men are expected to wear a suit and tie in the office.
Financial and business terms. 2012.
