tying

Everyday

1. Fastening something with string, rope, laces or a knot: "tying my shoelaces". tree →
2. Making a knot or bow. tree →
3. In games, getting the same score as another player or team: "They are tying the game." tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life young children learn tying their shoelaces; scouts and sailors learn tying knots. In maths and sports, "tying" means having equal scores. Phrases: tying shoelaces, tying a knot, tying up, tying a bow.

Examples

• I am tying my shoelaces. tree →
• She is tying a ribbon on the present. tree →
• Dad is tying the boat to the pier. tree →
• Tying knots is a useful skill when camping. tree →
• The teams are tying at two goals each. tree →
• He was tying up the newspapers for recycling. tree →
• Tying all the four corners together in a knot, he threw the light bundle of grass over his shoulder. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: "tie" becomes "tying" (ie changes to y before -ing), like "lie, lying" and "die, dying". Past: "tied". In maths and sport, a tie means equal scores: 3 and 3 is a tie.