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to tie oneself (up) in knots
01
to do something that makes oneself overly worried or confused
![to [tie] {oneself} (up|) (in|into) knots definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/45623/original/?type=jpeg "to [tie] {oneself} (up|) (in|into) knots definition and meaning")
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "tie oneself in knots" and when to use it?
The idiom "tie oneself in knots" is originated from the idea of picturing someone trying to make a very tricky knot in a rope but ending up all tangled and confused. It is used to refer to someone who is getting too worried and making things harder by overthinking or making a problem more complicated than it is.
Examples
Don't tie yourself up in knots over one small mistake.
