verb
untie
To end an equality in score, votes, or rank.
Her final vote unties the result.
Etymology
A tied score figuratively binds competitors at the same level. Untying it breaks that equality by giving one side an advantage.
More examples
- The late goal untied the score.
- A deciding round will untie the competition.
- The judge's ranking untied the two entries.
Forms
untie · unties · untied · untying
Similar words
- break the tie
- The more usual phrase for ending equal scores.