Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

Pooja tried to explain the problem, but soon she tied herself up in knots.

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

SSC CGL 2023 Tier-I Official Paper (Held On: 14 Jul 2023 Shift 1)

Be forced to explain your actions and (probably) punished
Become very confused when you are trying to explain something
Make no progress in an argument or discussion
Won’t modify an opinion or agree to even small changes that another person wants

Answer 1

The correct answer is "Become very confused when you are trying to explain something."

Key Points

The idiom "tied herself up in knots" means to become very confused or tangled up when trying to explain something.
It is a metaphorical expression, comparing the confusion to knots.
The sentence suggests that Pooja was unable to articulate the problem clearly.
The idiom is often used in situations where a person is struggling to express themselves or make sense of something.
- Example: The minister tied himself in knots answering a touchy political question.
Among the given options, the statement in option 2 explains the given idiom appropriately.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Additional Information

Option 1: "Be forced to explain your actions and (probably) punished" does not fit the context of the sentence, as there is no mention of punishment or wrongdoing.
Option 3: "Make no progress in an argument or discussion" is not an accurate meaning of the idiom in this context, as there is no mention of an argument or discussion.
Option 4: "Won't modify an opinion or agree to even small changes that another person wants" is not related to the idiom in any way.