Lesson 307: tangled

Having seen the Disney movie, you might wonder why they used the word tangled.  Tangled is a great word to describe things that are long and slender and somehow mixed up.  I think the pictures say it all.  Things that can get tangled include:

hair

phone cords

USB cables

power cables

rope

extension cords

string

thread

shoelaces

However the word also has some other meanings.  (pay attention to the prepositions)

It can mean become involved with.

example

He's tangled up with that crowd.

Maria got tangled up with the wrong people at school.

It can mean mixed up/confused.

example

Jim hated talking on the phone.  He felt his words got tangled up too easily.

It can mean fought.

example

Tim and Paul tangled a few times.  Mostly they fought over Elizabeth.

Tim tangled with Paul a few times.  Mostly they fought over Elizabeth.