tied in knots

Adjective

tied in knots (comparative more tied in knots, superlative most tied in knots)

1. (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

   Synonyms:

   buggered, cactused, cooked, dicked, fucked, hooped, in a bind, in a fix, in a mess, in a pickle

2. (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

   Synonyms:

   angstful, apprehensive, anxious, careful, concerned, distraught, disturbed, edgy, fraught, freaked out