tie up (
http://definr.com/tie up)
v 1: secure with or as if with ropes; "tie down the prisoners"
[syn:
tie down,
bind,
truss]
2: invest so as to make unavailable for other purposes; "All my
money is tied up in long-term investments"
3: restrain from moving or operating normally; "Traffic is tied
up for miles around the bridge where the accident
occurred"
4: secure in or as if in a berth or dock; "tie up the boat"
[syn:
moor,
berth]
5: in knitting: finish the last row [syn:
bind off]