tide

tide¹ [taıd] n

[: Old English; Origin: tid 'time']

1.) the tide

the regular rising and falling of the level of the sea

the tide is in/out

(=the sea is at a high or low level)

▪ Is the tide going out or coming in ?

▪ We went for a walk and got cut off by the tide .

→↑high tide, ↑low tide

2.)

a current of water caused by the tide

▪ Strong tides make swimming dangerous.

3.) [>C,usually singular]

the way in which events or people's opinions are developing

tide of

▪ With the tide of public opinion against him, the president may lose.

▪ It was their first major victory. The tide had turned (=changed) .

▪ The tide of battle turned against the Mexican army.

swim with/against the tide

(=support or oppose what most people think)

4.) [>C,usually singular]

a large amount of something that is increasing and is difficult to control

tide of violence/crime etc

▪ The crisis prompted a rising tide of protest.

▪ She swallowed back a tide of emotion.

▪ efforts to stem the tide of hysteria caused by the shootings (=prevent it from getting worse)

5.) [singular]

a large number of people or things moving along together

tide of

▪ the tide of refugees flowing over the border

6.) Christmastide/eveningtide/morningtide etc

old use a particular time of the year or day

tide ²

tide²

tide over () [tide sb over (sth)] phr v

to help someone through a difficult period, especially by lending them money

▪ Could you lend me £10 to tide me over till next week?