tow

have someone or something in tow

Fig. to lead, pull, or tow someone or something around. Mrs. Smith has her son by the hand and in tow. That car has a boat in tow.

See also: have

in tow

closely following; under someone's control. The nanny walked into the park with three children in tow. The manager went to the meeting with her staff in tow.

tow someone or something away*

to pull something, such as a car or a boat, away with another car, boat, etc. (The someone refers to the property of someone, not the person.) If I don't get back to my car, they will tow me away. The truck towed away my car. A big truck came and towed the illegally parked car away.

See also: away

tow someone or something into something and tow someone or something in

to pull something, such as a car or a truck, into something, such as a garage. (The someone refers to the property of someone, not the person.) They had to tow my car into the garage to be repaired. They towed in my car.

tow someone or something out (to something)

to pull something, such as a boat, or someone in or on something out in the water, to something. (The someone refers to the property of someone, not the person.) Frank, who was on his surfboard, asked Tony to tow him out to the little island. We towed the raft out where the water is deep.

See also: out

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in tow

if you have someone in tow, you have them with you She arrived with six small children in tow.

See toe the line

toe/tow the line

to do what you are ordered or expected to do He might not like the rules but he'll toe the line just to avoid trouble. Ministers who refused to toe the Party line were swiftly got rid of.

See take the line of least resistance, cross the line, draw a line under, draw the line, draw the line at, drop a line, fall in line, feed a line, lay it on the line, step out of line

See also: line, toe

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in tow

following or going along under someone's control She usually goes shopping with her three children in tow.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of a vehicle or ship in tow (being pulled with a rope or chain)

toe the line

to do what you are ordered or expected to do Not everyone was happy with the plan, but most of us toed the line.

Usage notes: sometimes used with a noun describing whose orders are being followed: They promised to toe the party line and vote with the leadership.

See also: line, toe