tide

1 noun

1 (countable usually singular) the regular rising and lowering of the level of the sea: driftwood on the beach, brought in by the tide | the tide is in/out (=the sea is at a high or low level)

—see also: high tide, low tide

2 (C) a current of water caused by the tide: Strong tides make swimming dangerous.

3 (countable usually singular) the way in which events, opinions etc are developing: the tide turns against (=people's opinions change so that they no longer approve of someone or something): The tide of public opinion seems to be turning against the President. | swim with/against the tide (=support or oppose what most people think) | stem the tide (=prevent something from developing and getting worse): efforts to stem the tide of hysteria caused by the shootings

4 (singular) a large number of people or things moving along together: the tide of refugees crossing the border | stem the tide (=stop this movement)

5 Christmastide/eveningtide/morningtide etc old use a particular time of the year or day

2 tide sb over phrasal verb (T) to help someone through a difficult period: I can give you enough money to tide you over until next month.