in tow

in tow

1. (of a vehicle, conveyance, etc.) Pulled by means of an attached line, such as a cable, chain, or rope.
   • 1842, James Fenimore Cooper, chapter 13, in The Wing and Wing:

     "Do you remember the ship? . . . I mean the dismasted eighty-four that was in tow of the frigate."

   • 1944 December 10, “Freight Carriers, Gliders and Hospital Planes Take Part in Preview of Air Borne Unit's Show”, in Milwaukee Journal, retrieved 9 Aug. 2010, page 1:

     Far down the field a C-47 cargo plane with two loaded gliders in tow began to move slowly up the runway.

   • 1896, G. A. Henty, chapter 15, in A Knight of the White Cross:

     Presently the wind nearly died out, and the galley and prizes then took the coasters and fishing craft in tow.

2. (figuratively, usually of persons) Following or accompanying under the direction of another, as if attached by a line and being pulled.
   • 1903, Frank Norris, chapter 2, in The Pit:

     "He's got a man from Cincinnati in tow, and they are going to dine at the Calumet Club."

   • 1987 October 5, “Central America: Speaking His Peace”, in Time:

     The House of Representatives hummed with excitement as Congressmen and Senators, many with their spouses and children in tow, awaited the man of the hour.

   • 1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, chapter 12, in Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, , published 1848, →OCLC:

     Doctor Blimber accompanied them; and Paul had the honour of being taken in tow by the Doctor himself.

   • 2005, William Mueller, Rome Revisited, →ISBN, page 10:

     Then with an impertinent presumption she came running out the front door with the maid moving in tow.

• (pulled by means of an attached line): on tow, under tow

• “in tow”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.

• in two