Crossword Genius

Sounds like flow is curbed (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tied

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'curbed' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'sounds like flow' is the wordplay.
'sounds like' shows a homophone (sound like).
'flow' becomes 'tide' (tiding is a kind of flowing).
'tide' is a homophone of 'TIED'.

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tied that I've seen before include "Made into a knot" , "have equal scores" , "Bound or secured" , "In no-win situation" , "Bound; placed equal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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