To bind with rope, to block or occupy something fully, or to finalize remaining details.
To fasten something with rope, or to keep something so busy it can't be used.
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To fasten or bind someone or something with rope, string, or cord.
"The pirates tied up their prisoner and left him in the hold."
They tied him up and threw him in the back of the van.
— Common crime-genre usage; widely attested in news reports and fiction.
To block, occupy, or make something unavailable for other uses.
"The accident tied up traffic on the motorway for three hours."
My capital is all tied up in real estate right now.
— Common business/financial journalism usage.
To finalize or complete the remaining details of something.
"We just need to tie up a few loose ends before we can sign the contract."
To moor a boat or ship to a dock or fixed point.
"They tied up the sailboat at the marina and went to find a restaurant."
To fasten something upward or securely with a tie or rope.
To fasten something with rope, or to keep something so busy it can't be used.
Very common in business English ('tie up loose ends'). Also used in traffic contexts ('traffic is tied up'). In crime contexts, it means to physically bind someone. The past participle 'tied up' is frequently used as an adjective meaning 'busy' or 'unavailable'.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "tie up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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