bind off
In knitting, to make an edge with a row of stitches. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bind" and "off." Your scarf looks great—you just need to bind off now. I'm fine with repeating the knit stitch over and over, but once it's time to bind off, I can never remember how to do that. Well, you're not quite done yet. Has anyone taught you how to bind off?
bind over
1. To present a criminal to a legal authority. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bind" and "over." A: "Who's being interrogated?" B: "Someone the guys on patrol bound over to our department last night." The criminal was supposed to be bound over to the police last night, but the transport vehicle has suspiciously gone missing. Morris, if you apprehend the suspect, you are to bind him over to the FBI at once.
2. To use a legal obligation to induce a particular action (such as appearing in court or avoiding trouble), as of a criminal. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bind" and "over." My lawyer believes that the judge will bind me over in exchange for my good behavior. Oh no, it seems the case will be bound over to a grand jury. I don't see how this guy won't be bound over for trial. There's just so much evidence against him!
bind up
To wrap something or someone in a material. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bind" and "up." I bound up my foot in a bandage to try to reduce the swelling. Bind yourself up in blankets if you're cold. We bound up the injured bird in a towel and then placed him in a box for transport to the local wildlife rescue.
bind up with (something)
1. To wrap someone or something in something. A noun or pronoun is used before or after "up." I need to bind up my foot with a bandage to try to reduce the swelling. The nurses applied cream to the burn victim's skin and bound him up with gauze. We bound up the injured bird with a towel and then placed him in a box for transport to the local wildlife rescue.
2. To join or fasten multiple people or things together with something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bind" and "up." Bind the books up with this cord—it'll make them easier to carry. They bound the prisoners up with chains so that they couldn't escape. When I broke that finger, there wasn't much the doctor could do besides bind my fingers up with some medical tape.
legally binding
Requiring or establishing a legal obligation. I thought it was just a simple petition, not a legally binding contract. Your response is legally binding, so be very careful what you say.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bind someone or something up (in something)
and bind someone or something up (with something)to tie someone or something up in something. They bound the books up in leather straps. I will bind up the larger sticks in strong cord.
bind someone over (to someone or something)
to deliver someone to some legal authority; to deliver someone to some legal authority. (A legal usage.) They bound the suspect over to the sheriff. The sheriff will bind over the suspect to the county jail.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
bind over
Oblige someone to do or not do something; hold on bail or keep under bond. For example, The sheriff will bind over the murder suspect to the homicide division. This phrase is nearly always used in a legal context. [Late 1500s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
bind off
v. To secure some number of stitches in knitting and form an edge by lifting one stitch over the next: Bind off 12 stitches on the next row to make the neck edge. Make 5 stitches on the next row and bind them off. The scarf is long enough, so you can bind off.
bind over
v. To put someone under a financial obligation as a guarantee of that person's appearance at trial or of his or her good behavior for a period of time: I was arrested for littering, and the court bound me over to keep the peace for six months. After a brief hearing, the judge bound over the accused murderer for trial and set the bail at one million dollars.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.