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Thread: tie somebody up in knots

  1. #1
    vil
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    Default tie somebody up in knots

    Dear teachers,

    Would you tell me whether I am right about my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentences?

    Watch him tie that witness in knots. (J. O’Hara, Ten Nord Frederick”)

    They had a lawyer there what tied everybody in knots first to last. (A. J. Cronin, “Beyond This Place”)

    tie somebody up in knots = upset someone completely

    Thanks for your efforts.

    Regards,

    V

  2. #2
    corum is offline Banned
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    Default Re: tie somebody up in knots

    No. Confuse.
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  3. #3
    vil
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    Default Re: tie somebody up in knots

    upset = agitate, bother, change, confuse,......

  4. #4
    corum is offline Banned
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    Default Re: tie somebody up in knots

    I did not want to upset you.

    What is the default reading of this sentence for you? Make things more complicated (confuse) or emotionally disturb (agitate)?
    Last edited by corum; 05-Dec-2010 at 09:27.
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