Tying the Knot – Meaning, Origin and Usage

Would you like to say that someone is getting married and would like to use a creative phrase? The saying 'tying the knot' is a common figurative English saying that usually refers to people who are getting married. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of the phrase.

Meaning

The phrase 'tying the knot' is a common figurative English expression.

The saying 'tying the knot' usually implies that someone has gotten married, or that someone is getting married.

There are several ways to use the saying, including to say 'tie the knot' and 'has/have tied the knot' or 'going to tie the knot' and even 'will tie the knot' depending on the tense that is being implied by the speaker.

The phrase usually refers to the act of marriage in any tense.

The phrase can be said to someone or about someone.

The phrase 'tying the knot' refers to the ancient custom of hand-fasting, even though modern weddings in various religions do not necessarily use the custom of tying a knot to get married.

Modern use of the phrase 'tying the knot' does not have religious implications when said, and can simply refer to the neutral act of marriage or getting married.

The phrase can also be used in the denial form, to indicate that someone isn't getting married or 'won't (or isn't going to) tie the knot'.

A similar phrase that is sometimes used is 'tying the broom'.

Example Usage

“Do you think that if they're spending this much time together over at the office, they're going to tie the knot or something soon?”

“If you and him don't think about tying the knot, then you might find yourself single in a year or so from now. He probably expected you to ask him weeks ago already.”

“They're going to be tying the knot tomorrow at 12, and the whole thing might be on the news after the football game. God, I hope there's a streaker at the wedding.”

“If you're thinking about pictures of old flames, then maybe you shouldn't tie the knot right about now, don't you think?”

Origin

The origin of the phrase 'tying the knot' and its derivates are agreed to come from the ancient practice of hand-fasting, which is a ceremony that first appeared in Celtic Culture though later continued on to some others.

During a hand-fasting (sometimes spelled as handfasting), couples would literally tie a knot between themselves to signify their union.

Modern hand-fastings are still done in some faiths, although the phrase 'to tie the knot' and 'tying the knot' can be used in reference to general marriage and not just the ceremony (or the ceremony relating to specific faiths).

Phrases Similar to Tying the Knot

  • Jumping the broom
  • Getting hitched

Phrases Opposite to Tying the Knot

  • N/a

What is the Correct Saying?

  • Tying the knot
  • To tie the knot
  • Have tied the knot

Ways People May Say Tying the Knot  Incorrectly

There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'tying the knot' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the phrase when it is used.

The phrase is not 'tying the not' but might be misspelled as such, which would render a phrase with a different meaning.

The phrase might not translate well into other languages as a direct phrase, and an equivalent with the same meaning has to be found in the language for an ideal result.

Acceptable Ways to Phrase Tying the Knot

There are several correct ways to use the phrase 'tying the knot' to imply marriage or a marriage ceremony.

Someone can 'tie the knot' or 'have tied the knot', but someone can also be 'going to tie the knot' depending on the applicable tense.

The phrase can also be used in the negative form, to deny that someone is getting married and thus 'not tying the knot'.

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