tied in knots en · ADJ
Meanings
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(idiomatic) In a state of confusion; in a difficult situation, in a bind.
Are you tied up in knots trying to unravel dozens of mobile phone plans? WireFly […] can untangle the mess. Just type in your zip code to search by carrier, phone, or plan.
2005 July, Dan Tynan, “30 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do on the Internet”, in PC World, volume 23, number 7, page 79:[Nikola] Jokić is his own story and because he is so big and so good and so versatile, the Heat are tied in knots trying to figure out how to slow him down.
2023 June 8, Joe Vardon, “NBA Finals Game 3: A coronation for Nikola Jokić and comeback for Jamal Murray”, in The Athletic:
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(idiomatic) Worried, anxious, upset.
There is no misery like the misery of being trapped in your own brain. The more I think about my problems, the more tied up in knots I become. I do not want to be alone, or pretend that I am not lonely. I don't want to pretend at all.
2004 August 28, Hope Donahue, “Nip and tuck and nip again”, in The Guardian:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| tied up in knots | alternative | lexicographic | |
| more tied in knots | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most tied in knots | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |
Relateds
tie in knots · tie oneself in knots
Synonyms
in a pinch · tied in knots · up a gum tree · jittery · up a stump · in a mess · in deep shit · concerned · careful · unquiet · distraught · disturbed · in the lurch · apprehensive · twitchy · restless · in the soup · cooked · in the shit · in a fix · up the stump · buggered · high-strung · worryful · up against it · in a bind · in Dickie's meadow · perturbable · freaked out · waist deep in the Big Muddy · fraught · worried · in a pickle · worrisome · nervy · in a world of pain · up the creek · knee-deep in the Big Muddy · edgy · on edge · squeamish · up shit creek · nervous · shagged · souped · anxious · rooted · up the creek without a paddle · leery · stuffed · in a world of trouble · uneasy · jumpy · up the proverbial · cactused · tied in knots · spookish · dicked · screwed · angstful · in trouble · fucked · verklempt · hagridden · hooped · in for it · skittish