tie (redirected from tying)

be fit to be tied (American)

to be very angry or upset. She was fit to be tied when she discovered she'd left her purse on the train.

See also: fit

be tied to your mother's apron strings

if someone, usually a man, is tied to their mother's apron strings, they still need their mother and cannot think or act independently. He's 30 but he's still tied to his mother's apron strings.

See also: string

could do something with one arm/hand tied behind their back (informal)

if someone could do something with one hand tied behind their back, they can do it very easily. Her part in the film wasn't very demanding - she could have played it with one hand tied behind her back.

See also: arm, back, behind, could, hand

someone's hands are tied

if someone's hands are tied, they are not free to behave in the way that they would like. I'd like to raise people's salaries but my hands are tied.

See also: hand

the old school tie

the way in which men who have been to the same expensive private school help each other to find good jobs. The old school tie still has enormous power in many City companies.

See also: old, school

tie yourself (up) in knots

1. to become very confused or worried when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem. They tied themselves in knots over the seating arrangements. (often + over)

2. to become very confused when you are trying to explain something. She tied herself up in knots trying to tell me how to operate the video recorder.

See also: knot

tie the knot (informal)

to get married. When are you two going to tie the knot? She's planning to tie the knot with her German boyfriend next June. (often + with)

See also: knot

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your hands are tied

you are not free to act. Some of my students are failing, but my hands are tied by their parents, who can't admit their kids need extra help.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form something has tied someone's hands: The new rules have tied his hands.

See also: hand

tie someone down

to limit someone's freedom. We were tied down by an impossible schedule and had to put off all vacations. He always thought marriage would tie him down and said it was too bad he was so stupid for so long.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of tie down (= to hold in place with rope)

See also: down

tie someone (up) in knots

to cause someone to become very confused or worried. They tied themselves up in knots over the seating arrangements for the party. The possibility of layoffs in Joe's department has tied him into knots.

See also: knot

tie someone/something in with someone/something

to connect or influence one person or thing with another. The company can tie this new acquisition in with its other businesses. Do we have any information to tie Bernard in with Kelly? Scientists say that this crazy weather is tied in with warmer temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.

tie the knot

to get married. She's planning to tie the knot with her German boyfriend next June.

See also: knot

tie something to something

to connect one thing to another. Any increase in pay is tied to doing a better job.

tie up someone

to limit someone's ability to act. I was tied up in meetings all morning. We were late because traffic tied us up for two hours!

tie up something

to limit the use of something. All our savings are tied up in buying a house right now. My daughter can tie the phone up for hours.

tie you to something

to connect you to something. Police found bloody clothes in Duggan's closet, and that's how they tied him to the killings. Melanie wished she weren't tied to home and could travel a little.

do something with one hand tied behind your back

to do something very easily. Cleaning your bike chain is so simple a chimp could do it with one hand tied behind its back.

See also: back, behind, hand