tie the knot
informal

- to get married

Cambridge Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

Many believe that this expression derived from the marriage ritual in some countries and cultures of binding together the hands of the couple to symbolise the union of the man and woman.

In Ireland this tradition was known as “handfasting”, a term used by ancient Celts to describe their traditional trial-marriage ceremony, during which couples were literally bound together.

Nowadays, in pagan and new-age communities, handfasting is experiencing somewhat of a revival.

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SYNONYMS

get married, walk down the aisle, exchange/take vows, wed, get hitched, TIE THE KNOT, get yoked, get spliced, become espoused, become man and wife, take the plunge, pair up, join in matrimony/wedlock, shack up, become husband and wife, plight/pledge your troth, take vows, lead to altar, conjoin, unite in marriage, become one, say ‘I do’

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KNOTTY IDIOMS

- get knotted = get out of here; go away; get lost.

- cut the Gordian knot = to solve a very challenging or daunting problem decisively. The phrase likely alludes to Gordius, the king of Phrygia, who tied a knot that an oracle proclaimed would only be cut by the future ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great allegedly cut the Gordian knot in one blow.

- get one’s panties/knickers in a knot = to become overly upset or emotional over something, especially that which is trivial or unimportant.

- at a rate of knots = rapidly (a boat’s speed is measured in knots).

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“They are so much in love, everyone is asking when they will TIE THE KNOT.”

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Paul Smith