verb phrase🎓 English idiom

tie the knot

to get married

What it means

To get married. It is a light, informal way of talking about a wedding or marriage.

Examples

  • After ten years together, they finally decided to tie the knot.
  • We're tying the knot next summer in a small countryside ceremony.
  • Did you hear that Sam and Alex are tying the knot in June?
  • They tied the knot quietly, with only close family present.

Where it comes from

The phrase reflects old wedding customs in which a couple's hands or garments were literally tied together; this 'handfasting' tradition dates back many centuries.

Related idioms

#the apple of my eye#wear your heart on your sleeve#paint the town red#on cloud nine

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