A tie-up or a traffic tie-up is a long line of vehicles that cannot move forward because there is too much traffic, or because the road is blocked by something. In some cities this morning, there were traffic tie-ups up to 40 miles long
a social or business relationship; "a valuable financial affiliation"; "he was sorry he had to sever his ties with other members of the team"; "many close associations with England"
A tie-up between two organizations is a business connection that has been arranged between them. The deal is expected to result in similar tie-ups between big media companies and telecommunications operators
When you tie something up, you fasten string or rope round it so that it is firm or secure. He tied up the bag and took it outside
If someone ties another person up, they fasten ropes or chains around them so that they cannot move or escape. Masked robbers broke in, tied him up, and made off with $8,000 At about 5 a.m. they struck again in Fetcham, tying up a couple and ransacking their house
invest so as to make unavailable for other purposes; "All my money is tied up in long-term investments
finish the last row restrain from moving or operating normally; "Traffic is tied up for miles around the bridge where the accident occurred"
If you tie an animal up, you fasten it to a fixed object with a piece of rope so that it cannot run away. Would you go and tie your horse up please They dismounted, tied up their horses and gave them the grain they had brought. = tether
invest so as to make unavailable for other purposes; "All my money is tied up in long-term investments"
If you tie up an issue or problem, you deal with it in a way that gives definite conclusions or answers. Kingfisher confirmed that it hopes to tie up a deal within the next two weeks We could have tied the whole case up without getting you and Smith shot at. see also tied up, tie-up
secure with or as if with ropes; "tie down the prisoners"; "tie up the old newspapes and bring them to the recycling shed"