English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Tie the knot
Meaning
The idiom "tie the knot" is used to describe the act of getting married or entering into a committed relationship. It can also refer to the act of completing a task or achieving a goal.
Usage
- They decided to tie the knot after dating for six years.
- She tied the knot in her career when she got promoted to a senior position.
- The athlete tied the knot on his shoes before the race.
- The couple tied the knot last weekend at their wedding ceremony.
- I'm trying to tie the knot on this project, but it's proving to be more difficult than I anticipated. The usage of the idiom "tie the knot" can vary depending on the context. In some cases, it may refer specifically to getting married or entering into a romantic relationship, while in others, it may refer to completing a task or achieving a goal. Additionally, the phrase can be used humorously or sarcastically to imply that someone is trying to avoid doing something by procrastinating or making excuses.
Roots and History
The idiom "tie the knot" has been in use since at least the 15th century. The earliest known use of the phrase can be traced back to a collection of proverbs from the medieval period, where it was used to describe the act of binding or fastening something together. Over time, the meaning of the idiom evolved to include the idea of making a commitment or completing a task. In some cultures, there are regional variations of the phrase used to describe getting married or entering into a relationship. For example, in Scotland, the phrase "tie the knot" is sometimes replaced with "tie the bonnet." In some Latin American countries, the phrase "cerrar círculos" (to close circles) is used instead.
Synonyms in English
- Tie the knot: Get married or enter into a committed relationship.
- Seal the deal: Complete a task or achieve a goal.
- Commit to something: Make a promise or pledge to do something.
- Seal the contract: Sign an agreement and make it official.
- Fasten or bind together: Join or unite something with another thing.
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish: Cerrar un círculo (to close a circle)
- French: Fermer les cercles (to close circles)
- Italian: Chiudere i cerchi (to close circles)
- German: Schließen die Ringe (to close rings)
- Japanese: 結ぶ（結び） (to tie the knot)