Function: transitive verb
Date: 1530
1 : to attach, fasten, or bind securely also : to wrap up and fasten
2 a : to connect closely : JOIN < tie up the loose ends> b : to cause to be linked so as to depend on or relate to something
3 a : to place or invest in such a manner as to make unavailable for other purposes <their money was tied up in stocks> b : to restrain from normal movement, operation, or progress <traffic was tied up for miles>
4 a : to keep busy <was tied up in conference all day> b : to preempt the use of < tied up the phone for an hour>
intransitive verb
1 : DOCK <the ferry ties up at the south slip>
2 : to assume a definite relationship <this ties up with what I told you before>