Definitions of tie up
to do something in a way that takes up all of someone or something's available time
Although suits by criminal defendants may serve to tie up law enforcement agencies in expensive litigation, they will not provide an effective deterrent to Fourth Amendment violations.
to invest or use money in a way that makes it difficult to be used for other purposes
Most of these costs are tied up in staffing and infrastructure.
to place legal restrictions on the transfer of title or property rights
By tying up a piece of property, am I obliged to purchase it?