cut the Gordian knot

verb

To solve a seemingly intractable problem by using a simple solution that is unconstrained by the assumptions that underpin the usual attempts to solve that problem.

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Meanings

verbcut the Gordian knot (third-person singular simple present cuts the Gordian knot, present participle cutting the Gordian knot, simple past and past participle cut the Gordian knot)

present singular third person cuts the Gordian knot · participle present cutting the Gordian knot

  1. intransitiveTo solve a seemingly intractable problem by using a simple solution that is unconstrained by the assumptions that underpin the usual attempts to solve that problem.

    Yet there were so many difficulties in assigning a natural explanation, that, to the day of her death, she remained in great doubt on the subject, and much disposed to cut the Gordian knot by admitting the existence of supernatural agency.

    1828, Walter Scott, chapter II, in My Aunt Margaret's Mirror

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
cut the knot

Translations

Czech rozetnout gordický uzel
  • rozetnout gordický uzelTranslations
Finnish avata Gordionin solmu
  • avata Gordionin solmuTranslations
French trancher le nœud gordien
  • trancher le nœud gordienTranslations
Polish przecinać węzeł gordyjski, przeciąć węzeł gordyjski
  • przecinać węzeł gordyjskiTranslations
  • przeciąć węzeł gordyjskiTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

cut the Gordian knot. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cut%20the%20Gordian%20knot

MLA

“cut the Gordian knot.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cut%20the%20Gordian%20knot. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cut the Gordian knot,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cut%20the%20Gordian%20knot.

Source: cut the Gordian knot on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.