in tow

Idioms  

1. In one's charge or close guidance; along with one. For example, The older girl took the new student in tow, or Peter always had his family in tow. This expression alludes to the literal meaning of being pulled along. [Early 1700s]

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Example Sentences

Ten years later, married and with their twin son and daughter in tow, they set out on their quest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Joining a civil defence convoy, he reached Sidon at 5:00 am, a small bag in tow.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

I would read her texts and reply from Barnsdall, with a book recommendation of hers in tow, the note card of painted berries as its bookmark, or from the beach.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Indigenous peoples in South America had been popping corn for millennia, but it didn’t reach the U.S. until the 19th century, when whalers returned from South America with the whole grain in tow.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

So when she saw the huntress outside the garden gate with a black horse in tow, she had to look twice to make sure she was not imagining it.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo