Tie the knot
/taΙͺ Γ°Ι nΙΛt/informalUK Β· US Β· AU Β· IE Β· CA
What does βTie the knotβ mean?
Tie the knot means to get married to someone.
This phrase simply means to get married. It can describe the wedding ceremony itself or the general decision to become husband and wife.
The idiom has a warm and cheerful tone. It is very common in everyday speech and is often used by friends, family, and lighthearted news stories.
When do people say it?
People use this phrase in casual conversation when talking about weddings or plans to get married.
βAfter dating for five years, Jack and Sarah finally decided to tie the knot.β
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US and AU and IE and CA.
Where does it come from?
It may come from an old custom where the hands of the bride and groom were tied together during the ceremony. Knots have also been used for centuries as symbols of love and lasting unity.
Origin confidence: Reasonably documented
How do you say βTie the knotβ in other languages?
Last reviewed 2026-09-11