tie down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Restrict someone's freedom
Why “down”? Something is pressed down and kept from rising again.
“A mortgage ties you down.”
“The long contract tied her down.”
Don't confuse with
Tie down means restrict someone's freedom. Tie up means fasten with rope or string so something cannot move.
Test yourself
“A mortgage ties you down.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
tie up
A contrast learners often mix up
Fasten with rope or string so something cannot move
bog down
Same down pattern: pressure
Slow or get stuck
bring down
Same down pattern: pressure
Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed
clamp down
Same down pattern: pressure
Impose strict control
crack down
Same down pattern: pressure
Take strict action against bad behaviour
face down
Same down pattern: pressure
Confront a challenge or opponent directly
hold down
Same down pattern: pressure
Keep someone or something restrained
hunker down
Same down pattern: pressure
Take cover; settle in low
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