tie up
/ˈtaɪ ˌʌp/ · tie·up
verb
- To fasten or secure with a rope, cord, or similar material. He tied up the boat to the dock before the storm arrived.
- To restrain or immobilize a person or animal by binding their limbs. The police tied up the suspect before taking him to the station.
- To occupy time or cause a delay in progress. The construction work tied up traffic for several hours.
- To arrange a business merger or partnership. The two companies tied up in a joint venture to develop renewable energy.
noun
- A binding or fastening; the act of tying something up. After the tie‑up, the cargo was safe for transport.
- A situation in which progress is delayed or obstructed, especially in traffic or logistics. There was a major tie‑up on the highway after the accident.
- A business merger or partnership. The recent tie‑up between the telecom firms created a new market leader.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The business sense of ‘tie‑up’ became a headline staple in the 1970s, describing corporate mergers such as the famous ‘Airline Tie‑up Creates New Carrier’, cementing the phrase in modern financial jargon.