/ taɪ; NAmE / 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.
3.
[ vn ] to make a knot in a piece of string, rope, etc. :
to tie a ribbon
Can you help me tie my tie?
Tie up your shoelaces!
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 ] [ usually passive ] tie 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 ] [ usually passive ] tie 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
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
SYN draw :
[ v ]
England tied 2–2 with Germany in the first round.
They tied for second place.
[ vn ]
The scores are tied at 3–3.
Last night's vote was tied.
MUSIC
8.
[ vn ] to join notes with a tie
—see also tongue-tied
•
IDIOMS
- tie sb / yourself (up) in knots
- tie one on
- tie the knot
—more at apron , hand noun
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- tie sb down (to sth / to doing sth)
- tie in (with sth)
- tie in (with sth) | tie sth in (with sth)
- tie sth off
- tie up | tie sth up
- tie sb up
- tie sth up
■ noun
CLOTHES
1.
( NAmE also neck·tie ) a long narrow piece of cloth worn around the neck, especially by men, with a knot in front :
a collar and tie
a striped silk tie
—see also black tie , bow tie , old school tie , white tie
FOR FASTENING
2.
a piece of string or wire used for fastening or tying sth :
ties for closing plastic bags
CONNECTION
3.
[ usually pl. ] a strong connection between people or organizations :
family ties
the ties of friendship
economic ties
The firm has close ties with an American corporation.
RESTRICTION
4.
a thing that limits sb's freedom of action :
He was still a young man and he did not want any ties.
IN GAME / COMPETITION
5.
a situation in a game or competition when two or more players have the same score :
The match ended in a tie.
—compare draw noun (2)
6.
( BrE ) a sports match, especially a football ( soccer ) match, that is part of a larger competition :
the first leg of the Cup tie between Leeds and Roma
MUSIC
7.
a curved line written over two notes of the same pitch (= how high or low a note is) to show that they are to be played or sung as one note
—picture at music
ON RAILWAY
8.
( NAmE ) = sleeper (5)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English tīgan (verb), tēah (noun), of Germanic origin.