a Gordian knot

(formal)

a difficult problem

Usage notes: In an old story, King Gordius of Phrygia tied a complicated knot which no one could make loose, until Alexander the Great cut it with his sword.

Homelessness in the inner cities has become a real Gordian knot.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Yiorgos	-	Greek
Nkiruka	-	Western African, Igbo
Vanessa	[və'nesə]
Ivonette	-	English (Rare)
Antipatros	-	Ancient Greek
Andreina	-	Italian