Tied up in knots?

I had an interesting discussion about the word, 'tie' today. Like lots of words in English, it has multiple meanings. A tie (noun) can be the strip of material worn around the neck, often with men's formal wear. To tie (verb) shoelaces is something that most children learn to do before they are ten years old. You can also, tie up your horse, if you have one. When the result of a competition is a tie (noun) it means that you share the same amount of points/ the same score, as someone else. We were, however, focusing on the 'tie'  which means a link or connection. 'We must keep our family ties strong' so the links in the family are known as ties. Tie can also have a negative meaning, that restricts someone in some way. 'She was tied to her job day and night' meaning that for whatever reason, her job is restricting her freedom. There is plenty of idiom too involving tie. 'My hands are tied'- I want to help you but I am unable to do so for a reason out of my control. 'Tied to your mother's apron strings'. Aprons are a method of covering clothes when cooking for example, and this idiom is about being controlled or dominated by your mother at an age when you shouldn't be! I will leave you with this one. 'I could do it with one arm tied behind my back'- so here is something that is so easy, you have to try and make it more difficult!