[tie up] {v. phr.}
1. To show or stop the movement or action of; hinder; tangle.
* /The crash of the two trucks tied up all traffic in the center of town./* /The strike tied up the factory./
2. To take all the time of.
* /The meeting will tie the President up until noon./* /The Senate didn't vote because a debate on a small point kept it tied up all week./* /He can't see you now. He's tied up on the telephone./
3. To limit or prevent the use of.
* /His money is tied up in a trust fund and he can't take it out./* /Susan tied up the bathroom for an hour./
4. To enter into an association or partnership; join.
* /Our company has tied up with another firm to support the show./
5. To dock.
* /The ships tied up at New York./
6. {slang} To finish; complete.
* /We've talked long enough; let's tie up these plans and start doing things./
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