Gordian knot

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++Gor·di·an knot /ˌɡɔːdiən ˈnɒt $ ˌɡɔːrdiən ˈnɑːt/ noun  cut/untie the Gordian knot SOLVE/DEAL WITH A PROBLEMto quickly solve a difficult problem by determined action 〔大刀阔斧地〕解决难题，快刀斩乱麻 In recent years, governments have tried to cut the Gordian knot by imposing cuts in state support to the railways. 政府试图通过削减对铁路部门的资助来快速解决这个难题。

Examples from the Corpus

Gordian knot• Many of us have learned the legend of Alexander the Great and the Gordian Knot.• A similar attempt to cut the Gordian knot of Chapter 4 also proves to be fallacious.• Wine and women-here we have the Gordian knot of the crisis.• If Gorbachev expects to untie the Gordian knot, he has over-estimated his powers.Origin Gordian knot (1500-1600) From a complicated knot tied by Gordius, king of ancient Phrygia, which Alexander the Great cut through with his sword

Gor·di·an knot nounChineseSyllable  

quickly problem a by to solve action Corpus determined difficult

Gordian knot
Gor‧di‧an knot /ˌɡɔːdiən ˈnɒt $ ˌɡɔːrdiən ˈnɑːt/ nouncut/untie the Gordian knot to quickly solve a difficult problem by determined action:
    In recent years, governments have tried to cut the Gordian knot by imposing cuts in state support to the railways.

Gor·dian knotBrE /ˌɡɔːdiən ˈnɒt/ 🔊NAmE /ˌɡɔːrdiən ˈnɑːt/ 🔊 nouna very difficult or impossible task or problem 戈尔迪乌姆结；难解的结；难办的事；棘手的问题◆to cut/untie the Gordian knot (= to solve a problem by taking action) 采取行动解决问题 ORIGIN From the legend in which King Gordius tied a very complicated knot and said that whoever undid it would become the ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great cut through the knot with his sword. 源自传说：戈尔迪乌斯国王打了一个十分难解的结，并称谁能解开便会成为亚洲的统治者，结果亚历山大大帝挥剑将结斩断。