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cut the gordian knot

cut the Gor·di·an knot
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [kuht stressed th ee gawr-dee-uh n not]
    • /kʌt stressed ði ˈgɔr di ən nɒt/
    • /kʌt ðə ˈɡɔː.dɪən nɒt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kuht stressed th ee gawr-dee-uh n not]
    • /kʌt stressed ði ˈgɔr di ən nɒt/

Definitions of cut the gordian knot words

  • noun cut the gordian knot to find a quick, bold solution for a perplexing problem 3
  • adjective cut the gordian knot pertaining to Gordius, ancient king of Phrygia, who tied a knot (the Gordian knot) that, according to prophecy, was to be undone only by the person who was to rule Asia, and that was cut, rather than untied, by Alexander the Great. 1
  • adjective cut the gordian knot resembling the Gordian knot in intricacy. 1
  • idioms cut the gordian knot cut the Gordian knot, to act quickly and decisively in a difficult situation; solve a problem boldly. 1
See all 4 definitions of cut the gordian knot

Information block about the term

Origin of cut the gordian knot

First appearance:

before 1555
One of the 31% oldest English words
1555-65; < Latin Gordi(us) (< Greek Górdios Gordius) + -an

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Cut the gordian knot

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Cut the gordian knot

cut the gordian knot popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 80% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

cut the gordian knot usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for cut the gordian knot

verb cut the gordian knot

  • clear — Something that is clear is easy to understand, see, or hear.
  • free — enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery: a land of free people.
  • resolve — to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full.
  • solve — to find the answer or explanation for; clear up; explain: to solve the mystery of the missing books.
  • unravel — to separate or disentangle the threads of (a woven or knitted fabric, a rope, etc.).
All 9 Synonyms of cut the gordian knot

See also

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