Tie up meaning
Tie up means to fasten something with string or rope, or tie it to something. It can also mean to be busy so you cannot do anything else (be tied up).
tie somebody or something up
tie up · tied · tying
She tied up her hair before the race.
Tie up meanings and examples
4 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.
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1
Fasten something with string or rope, or tie it to something
tie somebody or something up
- She tied up her hair before the race.
- Tie the bag up so the rubbish doesn’t fall out.
- We tied up the boat next to the café.
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2
Be busy so you cannot do anything else (be tied up)
tie something up
- Sorry, I’m tied up in meetings all morning.
- I got tied up at work and missed the bus.
- Are you tied up this afternoon, or can we talk?
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3
Tie a person’s arms or legs so they cannot move
tie somebody up
- In the film, the thieves tied up the guard.
- They tied him up and took the money.
- Was the hostage tied up when the police arrived?
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4
Finish the last details of something
tie something up
- I need a day to tie up a few things before my holiday.
- We tied up the deal on Friday.
- Let’s tie up the loose ends next week.
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use tie up in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is tie up separable?
Tie up is separable: tie up the dog, tie the dog up, tie it up. With a pronoun, it goes in the middle: tie them up.
Be tied up is the usual form for busy: I’m tied up right now. Tie up loose ends means finish the last small jobs. A tie-up is also a business link between companies.
Verb tenses for tie up
| Present | I tie up · she ties up |
|---|---|
| Past | tied up |
| Present perfect | have tied up |
| -ing form | tying up |
Common mistakes with tie up
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: The dog runs away, so we tie up it.
Right: The dog runs away, so we tie it up.
A pronoun goes between tie and up.
Wrong: I’m tying up now, can I call you later?
Right: I’m tied up now. Can I call you later?
For busy, use be tied up, not tying up.
Wrong: Please tie up your shoes laces.
Right: Please tie your shoelaces.
For shoelaces, just say tie. And shoelaces is one word.
Synonyms and opposites of tie up
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- fastenclose or fix something, with or without rope
- wrap upfinish something, or cover a present in paper
- be busythe simple way to say tied up
Opposite
- untieopen a knot or set something free
- be freehave time for something
Tie up quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
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1The wind is strong. Make sure you ___ the boat well.
Tie up a boat means fix it with a rope.
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2Choose the right sentence.
For busy, use be tied up.
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3Your manager says, “Let’s tie up the project this week.” What does she want?
Tie up can mean finish the last details.
Find your level
The phrasal verbs test adapts as you answer, from A2 to C1, and shows which ones you miss.
- get upA1get out of bed after you sleep
- take upB1start a new hobby or activity
- put upB1fix something to a wall, or raise something higher
- look upA2find information in a dictionary, a book or online
- go upB1become higher, like a price, a number or a temperature
- come upB2be mentioned or talked about
- give upB1stop doing or having something, often a habit
- break upB1end a romantic relationship
Tie up FAQ
Questions people ask about tie up.
What does I’m tied up mean?
It means I’m busy and can’t talk or come now. It is common at work: I’m tied up until three.
What does tie up loose ends mean?
It means finish the last small jobs. Before I leave the company, I need to tie up some loose ends.
Tie vs tie up: what is the difference?
Tie is the general verb: tie a knot, tie your shoes. Tie up stresses closing or holding something fully: tie up a parcel, tie up a dog.
Use tie up in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.