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./