Gordian knot

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablefigurative

   A very tangled problem that seems impossible to solve by ordinary methods.

   Grammar: A noun phrase with a, often with cut: cut the Gordian knot.

   Patterns

   • cut the Gordian knot
   • a Gordian knot of something

   The tax rules form a Gordian knot that few people understand.

   The two countries faced a Gordian knot of old disputes.

   Untangling the company's debts was a Gordian knot.

2. 2phraseidiomfigurative

   Used in the phrase cut the Gordian knot, meaning to solve a hard problem by a bold, direct action instead of patient effort.

   Grammar: Always with cut: she cut the Gordian knot by quitting.

   Patterns

   • cut the Gordian knot

   The manager cut the Gordian knot by closing the failing branch.

   He cut the Gordian knot and sold the house.

   To cut the Gordian knot, they simply started over.

Word forms

Common combinations

cut the Gordian knot

The committee cut the Gordian knot with a vote.

untie the Gordian knot

Nobody could untie the Gordian knot.

a Gordian knot of regulations

A Gordian knot of regulations slowed the project.

a Gordian knot of problems

The firm faced a Gordian knot of problems.

Synonyms and how they differ

quandary

A quandary is a state of uncertainty about what to do, while a Gordian knot is a tangled problem.

predicament

A predicament is a difficult situation, and is less complex than a Gordian knot.

tangle

A tangle is any mess, but a Gordian knot is a famously hard one.

Catch-22

A Catch-22 is a trap where each solution depends on another, unlike a knot that is simply complex.

Opposites

Word family

Gordian adjective

relating to Gordius and his famous knot

knot noun

a tied loop or tangle

unknot verb

to untie

Commonly confused: Gordian knot or Gordon?

Practice

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