tie up

To hold someone or something in place using rope, string, or a similar material.

• Tie up your hair before cooking.
• We tied the boat up beside the bridge.
• The thieves tied him up with rope.

How to use it: tie someone/something up (They tied the prisoner up.); tie something up with something (Tie the bundle up with string.)

Similar words: bind, fasten, secure

Opposites: untie

Common phrases: tie up something, tie someone up, tie up hair

To keep someone busy or stop something from being available or moving freely.

• The accident tied up traffic for hours.
• I was tied up with work yesterday.
• Do not tie up the phone line all evening.

How to use it: be tied up with something (I am tied up with meetings all morning.)

Similar words: occupy, delay, hold up

Opposites: free

Common phrases: tie someone up, tie up traffic, tie up resources

To finish something by dealing with its remaining small problems or tasks.

• Let us tie up the last few details.
• She tied up the deal before leaving.
• Have you tied up all the loose ends?

How to use it: tie up loose ends (We need to tie up loose ends before the launch.)

Similar words: finish, complete, resolve

Common phrases: tie up loose ends, tie up something

To put money into something so that you cannot use it for other purposes.

• The purchase will tie up our savings.
• Most of his money is tied up in property.
• How much capital does this investment tie up?

How to use it: tie up money in something (Do not tie up all your money in one property.)

Similar words: lock up, immobilize

Opposites: release

Common phrases: tie up money, tie up capital, tie up savings