knot (redirected from tied up in knots)

knot something together

to tie something together in a knot. Knot these strings together and trim the strings off the knot. Are the ropes knotted together properly? Quickly knot together the two loose ends!

See also: together

tie someone (up) in knots

Fig. to become anxious or upset. John tied himself in knots worrying about his wife during her operation. This waiting and worrying really ties me up in knots.

See also: tie

tie something in a knot

to bend something, such as a rope, upon itself to make a knot. I ended up tying the rope in a knot. The rope was tied in a knot and no one could get it undone.

See also: tie

tie the knot 

1. Fig. to marry a mate. We tied the knot in a little chapel on the Arkansas border. They finally tied the knot.

2. Fig. [for a cleric or other authorized person] to unite a couple in marriage. It was hard to find somebody to tie the knot at that hour. It only took a few minutes for the ship's captain to tie the knot.

See also: tie

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a Gordian knot  (formal)

a difficult problem

Usage notes: In an old story, King Gordius of Phrygia tied a complicated knot which no one could make loose, until Alexander the Great cut it with his sword.

Homelessness in the inner cities has become a real Gordian knot.

at a rate of knots  (British & Australian)

if someone does something at a rate of knots, they do it very quickly

Usage notes: The speed a boat travels is measured in knots.

She did her homework at a rate of knots so that she could go out with her friends.

See also: rate

get your knickers in a twist  (British & Australian informal) also get your knickers in a knot (Australian informal)

to become very upset about something, usually something that is not important Now, before you get your knickers in a twist, let me explain the situation.

See also: get, knickers, twist

Get knotted!  (British & Australian informal, old-fashioned)

an impolite way of telling someone who is annoying you to go away Oh, get knotted, will you, I'm trying to work!

See also: get

tie yourself (up) in knots 

1. to become very confused or worried when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem (often + over ) They tied themselves in knots over the seating arrangements.

2. (British & Australian) to become very confused when you are trying to explain something She tied herself up in knots trying to tell me how to operate the video recorder.

See also: tie

tie the knot  (informal)

to get married When are you two going to tie the knot? (often + with ) She's planning to tie the knot with her German boyfriend next June.

See also: tie

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tie somebody (up) in knots also tie somebody into knots

to cause someone to become very confused or worried They tied themselves up in knots over the seating arrangements for the party. The possibility of layoffs in Joe's department has tied him into knots.

See also: tie

tie the knot

to get married She's planning to tie the knot with her German boyfriend next June.

See also: tie