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
Marybeth	mer-ee-BETH, mar-ee-BETH	English
SimÓN	see-MON	Spanish
Guanting	-	Chinese
Jadvyga	-	Lithuanian
Govad	-	Persian Mythology
Whitaker	['hwitəkə(r)]