Tide Me Over: Definition, Meaning, and Origin

Last Updated on
September 21, 2023

The idiom "tide me over" means to provide someone with something temporarily or quickly to help them last a short period until they can get more of what they need. It is often used for money, food, or other necessities that people may run short of due to unexpected circumstances or poor planning.

In short:

  • "Tide me over" means to help someone temporarily or quickly.
  • It is often used in relation to money, food, or other necessities.

What Does "Tide Me Over" Mean?

"Tide me over" means giving someone something quickly or quickly to help them survive until they can get more of what they need. People often use this idiom when they are low on money, food, or other things they need because of bad luck or bad planning.

Where Does "Tide Me Over" Come From?

The idiom "tide me over" is derived from a seafaring term. Sailors would sometimes depend on the tide to help them get from one place to another, and they would need to wait, riding the wave, until it was deep enough to move. Through the years, the idiom gradually acquired a symbolic meaning of providing someone with something to help them through a difficult period. It was often used concerning money or food.

Historical Example

"I have no money at present; but if you will lend me ten pounds till next week it will tide me over."

—a quote from the novel The Adventures of Mr Verdant Green by Cuthbert Bede in 1853

10 Examples of "Tide Me Over" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use the idiom in sentences:

  • Real talk: He needed extra income to tide him over the winter.
  • He surfed the net to tide him over while he waited for his friend.
  • No diggity. She gave me some cookies to tide me over until dinner.
  • Thanks so much! The soup was enough to tide me over for the afternoon.
  • I'm running low on cash. Can you tide me over until I get paid? Thanks a bunch!
  • About last night, he asked his parents to tide him over with a loan for his tuition fees.
  • She borrowed books from the library to tide her over during the lockdown. Good going.
  • Way to go! They gave us vouchers to tide us over until they fixed the problem with our order.
  • I don't have time to cook a proper meal, so I'll have some toast to tide me over in a time crunch.
  • I couldn't be happier when she offered me a sandwich to tide me over until we reached our destination.

Examples of "Tide Me Over" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of how this idiom appeared in various forms of pop culture:

  • In the movie The Hunger Games (2012), Katniss Everdeen says to Peeta Mellark: "You fed me once. Tided me over." She is referring to how he gave her some bread when she was starving as a child.
  • In the TV show Friends (1994-2004), Joey Tribbiani tells Chandler Bing: "Hey, can you lend me 2000 bucks? It'll tide me over." He is asking for money to pay his debts.
  • In the song "Tide Me Over" by The Wombats (2018), the chorus goes: "I need something to tide me over / Something that will make me sober / Something that will make me feel alive." The singer is looking for something to cope with his loneliness and depression.
  • In the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997) by J.K. Rowling, Hagrid says to Harry Potter: "I got summat fer yeh here – I might sit on it at some point, but it'll taste all right." He is giving him a birthday cake to tide him over until they get to Diagon Alley.

Other Ways to Say "Tide Me Over"

Here are some synonyms or related expressions for this idiom:

  • to hold someone over
  • to keep someone afloat
  • to bridge the gap

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Tide Me Over"

Here are some common questions and answers about this idiom:

  • What does "tide me over" mean?

The idiom "tide me over" means to provide someone with something temporarily or quickly to help them last a short period until they can get more of what they need. It is often used for money, food, or other necessities that people may run short of due to unexpected circumstances or poor planning.

  • What is the origin of the phrase "tide me over"?

The idiom "tide me over" is derived from a seafaring term. Sailors would sometimes depend on the tide to help them get from one place to another, and they would need to wait, riding the wave, until it was deep enough to move.

  • What are some expressions similar to "tide me over"?

Some idioms like "tide me over" are "to make ends meet," "to scrape by," and "to get by."

  • Is "tide me over" formal or informal?

"Tide me over" is an informal expression in casual conversations or requests. It is not appropriate for formal or academic writing or speech.

  • What is the difference between "tide me over" and "tie me over"?

"Tide me over" is the correct idiom that means to provide someone with enough of something to last until they can get more of it. "Tie me over" is a common mistake people make when they hear the idiom but don't know how to spell it.

  • Can I use "tide me over" for non-material things?

Yes, you can use "tide me over" for things that are not physical or tangible, such as information, entertainment, comfort, etc.

Example: I need some music to tide me over until the concert starts.

  • Can I use "tide me over" in the passive voice?

Yes, you can use "tide me over" in the passive voice by adding "be" and changing the verb to its past participle form.

Example: I was tided over by his generosity.

  • Can I use "tide me over" in the negative form?

Yes, you can use "tide me over" in the negative form by adding "not" before the verb.

Example: This sandwich will not tide me over until dinner.

  • What are some antonyms of "tide me over"?

Some antonyms of "tide me over" are "to leave someone hanging," "to run out of something," and "to fall short of something."

  • How do I use "tide me over" in a question?

Can/Could/Will/Would + subject + tide + object + over + with/for/till/until + something?

Example: Can you tide me over with some water? I'm thirsty.

Final Thoughts About "Tide Me Over"

The idiom "tide me over" is a valid expression to know and use in everyday language. It can help you communicate your needs or offer your help to someone in a difficult situation.

Here are some key points to remember about the idiom:

  • It means providing someone with enough of something to last until they can get more.
  • It comes from a seafaring term that means to float with the tide before dropping anchor.
  • The informal phrase can be used with different objects, pronouns, verb tenses, and prepositions.
  • It can have different meanings depending on the speaker's context and tone.
  • The idiom has some synonyms, antonyms, and similar expressions that you can use.

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