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Tangle
01
a matted or twisted mass that is highly intertwined
Example
The wires were in a tangle, making it hard to separate them.
Her hair was a messy tangle after the windy walk.
02
a disagreement, fight, or conflict
03
a confused or complicated mass of things that are twisted or interwoven together
Example
The company found itself in a legal tangle after breaching the contract with its partners.
The politician faced a public relations tangle when his remarks were misunderstood by the media.
04
a traffic accident involving two or more vehicles that have collided, often causing a messy or complicated situation on the road
Example
A slight drizzle turned the roads slick, leading to a nasty tangle at the intersection.
There was a major tangle on the highway this morning, backing up traffic for miles.
to tangle
01
to become twisted or knotted together in a confusing manner
Intransitive
Example
The children 's kite strings tangled in the gusty wind, forming a knot.
The vines in the garden tended to tangle, making pruning a challenging task.
02
to become intricately complicated or intertwined, leading to confusion
Transitive: to tangle a situation
Example
His explanation only served to tangle the situation, leaving us more confused than before.
His explanation only served to tangle the situation, leaving us more confused than before.
03
to become involved in a heated or confrontational exchange
Intransitive: to tangle with sb
Example
Sarah did n't intend to tangle with her coworker, but their opposing views on the project escalated into a heated argument.
It's best to avoid tangle with internet trolls who thrive on provoking arguments and spreading negativity.
04
to become involved in a complex or chaotic situation, such as when multiple vehicles are involved in a traffic accident
Example
Several cars tangle in the intersection after the driver runs a red light.
The accident caused a tangled mess of cars on the freeway.
