What is a ‘Gordian Knot” and What is the Story behind this Phrase?

Gordian knot means any complicated problem that can be solved only with creative or unorthodox thinking; a convoluted or tricky situation that can be resolved by doing something unconventional or forceful.

This term has come from Greek and Roman mythology. According to the stories, King Gordian tied a highly intricate knot that could not be loosened by untying. Alexander the Great then cut the rope with his sword which loosened it and untied it.

Since then, this expression has come to refer to any complex problem that can only be solved in a forceful or unconventional manner.

For example —

“Long traffic jams were a Gordian knot for the city, but the new mayor dealt with it in an innovative way. He implemented an odd/even scheme under which the vehicles could run only on alternative days.”

It means that the long traffic jams were a severe problem that required unconventional thinking to solve.

I hope you found this story interesting. If you did, buy my full course on Udemy or watch it for free on Skillshare by signing up here. This course covers nearly 380 idioms with their origins and backstories.

Hi, I am Gauri Shanker, a Vocab teacher and enthusiast. I teach vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. You can check out my courses here.