take someone in tow Definition

tow¹
verb towed, towing

1. To pull (a ship, barge, car, trailer, caravan, etc) by rope, chain, cable, etc behind the vehicle one is driving.

Thesaurus: transport, haul, pull, lug, drag, tote.
2. Said of a vehicle: to pull (a ship, barge, car, etc) along by rope, chain or cable.

noun

1. An act or the process of towing; the state of being towed.
2. Something towed, eg a car.


Example: a tow-rope

Derivative: towable
adj

Derivative: towed
adj

Derivative: tower
noun

Derivative: towing
adj, noun

Idiom: in tow

Said of a vehicle: being towed.

Said of a person: following or accompanying as a companion or escort.
Example: She arrived late with several men in tow

Idiom: on tow

Said of a vehicle: being towed.

Idiom: under tow

Said of a vessel: being towed.

Idiom: take someone in tow

To put them under one's protection, guidance, control, etc.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon togian.