Definition & Meaning of "Tie in knots"

tie oneself (up) in knots

/tˈaɪ wɒnsˈɛlf ˌʌp ɪn ˌɪntʊ nˈɒts/

/tˈaɪ wʌnsˈɛlf ˌʌp ɪn ˌɪntʊ nˈɑːts/

to tie oneself (up) in knots

PHRASE

to do something that makes oneself overly worried or confused

to [tie] {oneself} (up|) (in|into) knots definition and meaning

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.