Show cut the gordian knot alexander gordius a peasant be ing chosen king of phrynia dedi bated his wagon to jupiter and fastened the yoke to a beam with a rope of bark so ingeniously that no one could untie it alexander was told that whoever undid the knot would reign over the whole east well then said the conqueror it is thus I 1 perform the task and so saying he cut the knot in twain with his sword hence to cut the Gl gordian knot is to get out of a biffi cult or awkward position by one decisive step to solve a problem by a single brilliant stroke |