cut the knot
Solve by severing
To cut the knot is to solve a difficult problem through bold, decisive action rather than patient unraveling.
The phrase alludes to Alexander the Great, who sliced through the legendary Gordian knot instead of attempting to untie it.
Rather than negotiate endlessly, she decided to cut the knot and file suit.
- lateral thinkingIndirect problem-solving approach
- quick fixHasty temporary solution
- bold moveAudacious action with risk
- decisive actionFirm choice, promptly executed
- leapfrogVault over stooped players
breakthrough · creative problem-solving · transcend · resolve · untangle · boldness · risk-taking · bypass · overcome · innovation · strategic thinking · simplify · Alexander · sword · impasse · unconventional · simplification · simplification
- Gordian KnotAlexander, sword, untie, decisive action, ox cart
cut the knotpick apart
Criticize piece by piece
unravel · tease apart · tease out · chip away at · muddle through
cut the knotdither
Nervous inability to choose
vacillate · overthink · hem and haw · spin one's wheels · freeze up
cut, cuts, cutting, cutter, cutters, undercut, shortcut, the, knot