cut/untie the Gordian knot

cut the Gordian knot

To solve a very challenging or daunting problem decisively. The phrase likely alludes to Gordius, the king of Phrygia, who tied a knot that an oracle proclaimed would only be cut by the future ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great allegedly cut the Gordian knot in one blow. A: "Wait, Matt already solved that impossible equation?" B: "Yes! I have no idea how he did it, but he sure cut the Gordian knot."

See also: cut, Gordian, knot

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cut the Gordian knot

LITERARY

If someone cuts the Gordian knot, they deal with a difficult situation in a quick, forceful and effective way. Mr Sandler cut the Gordian knot that was strangling the market. Note: Verbs such as break, untie and untangle are sometimes used instead of cut. Which country should make the first move to untie the Gordian knot? Note: Gordian knot is used to describe a problem that is very difficult to solve. The federal deficit has become the Gordian knot of Washington. He found himself tied up in a real emotional Gordian Knot. Note: According to an ancient legend, Gordius, the king of Phrygia, tied a knot that nobody could untie. It was said that if anyone untied it, they would become the next ruler of Asia. When Alexander the Great heard this, he solved the problem by cutting through the knot with a sword.

See also: cut, Gordian, knot

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

cut the Gordian knot

solve or remove a problem in a direct or forceful way, rejecting gentler or more indirect methods.

The knot referred to is that with which Gordius, king of ancient Phrygia (in Asia Minor), fastened the yoke of his wagon to the pole. Its complexity was such that it gave rise to the legend that whoever could undo it would become the ruler of Asia. When Alexander the Great passed that way en route to conquer the East he is said simply to have severed the knot with his sword.

See also: cut, Gordian, knot

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

cut/untie the ˌGordian ˈknot

solve a very difficult or complicated problem with forceful action: Will the negotiators be able to untie the Gordian knot?This expression comes from the legend in which King Gordius tied a very complicated knot and said that whoever untied it would become the ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great cut through the knot with his sword.

See also: cut, Gordian, knot

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

cut the Gordian knot
cut the Gordian knot, to
Gordian
be pushing up (the) daisies
be pushing up daisies
be pushing up the daisies
answer the bell
be in the Land of Nod
be straining at the leash
Abraham

词组	cut/untie the Gordian knot
释义	cut/untie the Gordian knot cut the Gordian knot To solve a very challenging or daunting problem decisively. The phrase likely alludes to Gordius, the king of Phrygia, who tied a knot that an oracle proclaimed would only be cut by the future ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great allegedly cut the Gordian knot in one blow. A: "Wait, Matt already solved that impossible equation?" B: "Yes! I have no idea how he did it, but he sure cut the Gordian knot." See also: cut, Gordian, knot Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. cut the Gordian knot LITERARY If someone cuts the Gordian knot, they deal with a difficult situation in a quick, forceful and effective way. Mr Sandler cut the Gordian knot that was strangling the market. Note: Verbs such as break, untie and untangle are sometimes used instead of cut. Which country should make the first move to untie the Gordian knot? Note: Gordian knot is used to describe a problem that is very difficult to solve. The federal deficit has become the Gordian knot of Washington. He found himself tied up in a real emotional Gordian Knot. Note: According to an ancient legend, Gordius, the king of Phrygia, tied a knot that nobody could untie. It was said that if anyone untied it, they would become the next ruler of Asia. When Alexander the Great heard this, he solved the problem by cutting through the knot with a sword. See also: cut, Gordian, knot Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. cut the Gordian knot solve or remove a problem in a direct or forceful way, rejecting gentler or more indirect methods. The knot referred to is that with which Gordius, king of ancient Phrygia (in Asia Minor), fastened the yoke of his wagon to the pole. Its complexity was such that it gave rise to the legend that whoever could undo it would become the ruler of Asia. When Alexander the Great passed that way en route to conquer the East he is said simply to have severed the knot with his sword. See also: cut, Gordian, knot Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary cut/untie the ˌGordian ˈknot solve a very difficult or complicated problem with forceful action: Will the negotiators be able to untie the Gordian knot?This expression comes from the legend in which King Gordius tied a very complicated knot and said that whoever untied it would become the ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great cut through the knot with his sword. See also: cut, Gordian, knot Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: cut the Gordian knot cut the Gordian knot, to Gordian be pushing up (the) daisies be pushing up daisies be pushing up the daisies answer the bell be in the Land of Nod be straining at the leash Abraham
随便看	not have all (one's) buttons not have all (one's) marbles not have a look in not have a lot on not have a minute to call (one's) own not have an earthly chance not have (any of) it not have any of (something) not have anything on not have anything on (someone or something) not have anything to do with (someone or something) not have a penny not have a penny to bless (oneself) with not have a penny to bless yourself with not have a penny to (one's) name not have a penny to your name not have a pot to piss in not have a prayer not have a red cent not have a shot in (one's) locker not have a (snowball's) chance in hell not have a snowball's chance in hell not have a snowball's chance in hell and not a hope in hell not have a (some kind of) bone in (one's) body not have a stitch of clothes