entangled mess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entangled mess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is complicated, confusing, or difficult to untangle or resolve. Example: "After hours of trying to organize the files, I realized I had created an entangled mess that would take even longer to sort out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It's such an entangled mess," she said.

The New York Times

"I ought to practice what I preach," he sings on new album, "Push the Sky Away," his voice projecting a blank-eyed stare, his tale an entangled mess of love, lust and wasted cash.

Los Angeles Times

I was blessed with thick, jet black, dramatic hair that at times gave me a massive headache especially after my mother shampooed and conditioned it and then insisted on combing out the kinks to prevent the onset of an entangled mess.

Huffington Post

In the mad dash to destroy anything associated with the previous president, that bill — whatever it finally turns out to be — is a confusing and entangled mess, conceived in mystery behind closed doors and dedicated to no one but the fat cats salivating at the prospect of hundreds of millions in tax cuts and profits.

Huffington Post

SIgn up now to get the best of VICE Canada delivered straight to your inbox.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Her son used cardiopulminary resuscitation to help save several of his shipmates and carried Chief Petty Officer Keith A. Lorensen out of the steel-entangled mess hall to safety on the ship's deck.

The New York Times

Moore has collected reams of evidence documenting how plastic wastes are consumed by unsuspecting marine animals that think they're eating plankton and other ocean food, or become entangled in the mess and drown.

Huffington Post

In the last 18 months or so, there have been a number of deals that, to an outsider, might make the ridesharing industry look like a jumbled mess of entangled alliances.

TechCrunch

Bill Parcells, following the 1996 season with the New England Patriots, had become entangled in what would become a grand mess, resigning and then attempting to join the Jets.

The New York Times - Sports

He became entangled and stumbled.

The New Yorker

All, naturally, become entangled.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entangled mess" when you want to emphasize not only complexity but also a sense of disarray or difficulty in resolving a situation. The phrase is more evocative than simply saying "complex problem".

Common error

Avoid using "entangled mess" too frequently in your writing. While it's a vivid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "complex situation" or "complicated web".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entangled mess" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes a situation or problem that is both complex and confusing, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "entangled mess" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, primarily employed to depict situations marked by complexity and confusion. Ludwig AI verifies its aptness, citing examples from news and media, and other sources. While not exceedingly frequent, the phrase effectively communicates a sense of disorder and interwoven difficulty. When employing the term, remember its informality and consider alternatives like "complex situation" for more formal settings. Avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity and variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex situation

Replaces "entangled mess" with a more general term for a complicated scenario.

confusing tangle

Replaces "mess" with "tangle", both suggesting a state of disarray and confusion.

complicated problem

Substitutes the idea of a "mess" with a "problem", focusing on the difficulty.

complicated web

Emphasizes the interconnected and confusing nature of the situation.

incomprehensible jumble

Replaces "entangled" with "incomprehensible" and "mess" with "jumble", both emphasizing the lack of clarity.

knotty issue

Uses a metaphor of a knot to represent a difficult and tangled problem.

difficult predicament

Highlights the challenging and potentially negative circumstances.

intricate matter

Focuses on the detailed and complex nature of the situation.

complicated affair

Uses a more formal term, "affair", to describe a complex and potentially problematic situation.

Byzantine situation

Draws a historical analogy to the Byzantine Empire, known for its complex politics and bureaucracy.

FAQs

How can I use "entangled mess" in a sentence?

You can use "entangled mess" to describe a situation that is confusing and difficult to resolve. For example, "The investigation revealed an "entangled mess" of financial transactions."

What can I say instead of "entangled mess"?

You can use alternatives like "complex situation", "complicated problem", or "confusing tangle" depending on the context.

Is "entangled mess" a formal or informal expression?

"Entangled mess" is generally considered an informal expression. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal situations might call for phrases like "complex situation" or "intricate matter".

What's the difference between "entangled mess" and "complicated situation"?

While both phrases describe a complex state, "entangled mess" implies a greater degree of disarray and difficulty in understanding or resolving the issue, compared to a more neutral "complicated situation".