be tied (up) in knots

be tied (up) in knots

To be confused, anxious, worried, and/or upset (about something). I've been tied up in knots trying to come up with a good topic for my term paper, but I just can't think of anything! James is tied in knots over how to break up with Danielle, but I think he needs to bite the bullet and just do it.See also: knot, tie