Crossword Genius

Knot tried first, that is (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tie

'knot' is the definition.
(I know that knot is a kind of bind)

'tried first that is' is the wordplay.
'tried first' becomes 't' (1st letter of 'tried').
'that is' becomes 'ie' (short for Latin 'id est', 'that is').
't'+'ie'='TIE'

(Other definitions for tie that I've seen before include "Knot; link" , "Bind; dead heat" , "Accessory" , "line above notes" , "Neckwear item" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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