Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

cut the gordian knot

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.20 in modern English

Syllables
cut the -gor-dian -knot
IPA
28
Scrabble Score
17
Letters
4
Syllables
13
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To solve a seemingly intractable problem by using a simple solution that is unconstrained by the assumptions that underpin the usual attempts to solve that problem.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

Usage

Inflected Forms

cuts the Gordian knot (present, singular) cutting the Gordian knot (participle, present)

Questions

What does cut the gordian knot mean?
To solve a seemingly intractable problem by using a simple solution that is unconstrained by the assumptions that underpin the usual attempts to solve that problem.

How to pronounce cut the gordian knot

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “cut the gordian knot”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “cut the gordian knot”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “cut the gordian knot” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.