Tie someone into knots - Idioms by The Free Dictionary
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tie (someone or oneself) (up) into knots

(redirected from tie someone into knots)

tie (someone or oneself) (up) into knots

1. To make someone oneself feel particularly confused, anxious, worried, or upset. I've been planning to propose to James on Sunday, but the nervousness is tying me into knots! Now don't go tying yourself in knots over the details of your papers—at this point, all you need is a cohesive outline.
2. To cause someone or oneself to become flustered while attempting to explain something. Jim's a smart guy, but for some reason he always ties himself up into knots whenever I ask him to explain something on the computer for me. The complex technical language kept tying me in knots as I tried to present it to the board.
See also: knot, tie

tie into knots

Confuse, upset, or bewilder, as in He tied himself into knots when he tried to explain how the engine works. This metaphoric idiom transfers a knotted tangle to mental confusion. [Late 1800s]
See also: knot, tie

tie somebody/yourself (up) in ˈknots

become or make somebody very confused: The interviewer tied the Prime Minister up in knots. He looked a complete fool. ♢ He tied himself up in knots when he tried to explain why he had lipstick on his face.
See also: knot, somebody, tie


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  • tie (oneself) (up) in knots
  • tie (oneself) in(to) knots
  • tie (someone or oneself) (up) into knots
  • tie (someone) in(to) knots
  • tie back
  • tie down
  • tie hands
  • tie in
  • tie in a knot
  • tie in knots
  • tie in with
  • tie into
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  • tie it on
  • tie off
  • tie on the (old) feedbag
  • tie on the (old) nosebag
  • tie on the nosebag
  • tie one on
  • tie one's hands
  • tie onto
  • tie over
  • tie somebody/yourself in knots
  • tie somebody's hands
  • tie someone in knots
  • tie someone into knots
  • tie the (old) feedbag on
  • tie the knot
  • tie to
  • tie traffic up
  • tie up
  • tie up (some/a few) loose ends
  • tie yourself in knots
  • tied down
  • tied to (one's) apron strings
  • tied to apron strings
  • tied to his mother's apron strings
  • tied to mother's apron strings
  • tied to someone's apron strings
  • tied up
  • tie-in
  • tiffled
  • tiger
  • tiger by the tail
  • tiger in (one's) tank
  • tiger juice
  • tiger milk
  • tiger sweat
  • tiger team
  • tiger‘s milk
  • tight
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  • tie ourselves into knots
  • tie ourselves up in knots
  • Tie Out
  • tie over
  • tie piece
  • tie piece
  • tie piece
  • Tie pin
  • Tie plate
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  • tie rack
  • tie rack
  • tie rod
  • tie rod
  • tie rod
  • Tie Rod End
  • tie rods
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  • tie rods
  • Tie slide
  • tie somebody hand and foot
  • tie somebody in knots
  • tie somebody into knots
  • tie somebody up in knots
  • tie somebody up into knots
  • tie somebody's hands
  • tie somebody/yourself in knots
  • tie someone down
  • tie someone hand and foot
  • tie someone in knots
  • tie someone into knots
  • tie someone over
  • tie someone over something
  • tie someone to something
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  • tie someone up in knots
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  • tie someone's hands tie hands
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  • tie the (old) feedbag on
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  • tie the knot
  • tie the old feed bag on
  • tie the old feedbag on
  • tie their hands
  • tie them down
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