tied up in knots

ADJECTIVE

concerned

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anxious distressed disturbed troubled uneasy uptight

STRONG

bothered exercised perturbed upset

WEAK

biting one's nails butterflies in stomach in a stew on pins and needles worried sick

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm collected composed cool happy peaceful

WEAK

disinterested inattentive uncaring unconcerned undisturbed uninvolved unperturbed untroubled unworried

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Johnson is really being tied up in knots for his stonewalling over the Jeffrey Epstein files.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2025

When I came up with predictions, I was tied up in knots trying to narrow down the list.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2024

Rd1 Ng4, and White is tied up in knots.

From Washington Times • Dec. 26, 2023

My stomach is tied up in knots just thinking about it.

From Slate • Sep. 24, 2020

I’m sure I’ll die either of boredom or my brain being tied up in knots!

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez