entangle

Everyday

1. To catch something in a tangle of string, net, rope, hair or wire so it cannot get free. tree →
2. To twist things together in a mess. tree →
3. To get someone involved in a difficult or messy situation. tree →

In the lessons

In nature and safety lessons: animals can get entangled in fishing nets, plastic rings or litter — a reason to pick up rubbish. In stories, people become «entangled in» lies, quarrels or plots. Often passive: «get entangled», «become entangled in».

Examples

• The turtle became entangled in an old fishing net. tree →
• Don't let the kite string entangle the branches. tree →
• My headphone wires always entangle in my bag. tree →
• The fly was entangled in the spider's web. tree →
• Cut plastic rings so birds cannot get entangled in them. tree →
• He didn't want to entangle himself in their argument. tree →
• The vines entangle the old fence. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Usually used with «in» or «with»: entangled in a net. Similar to «tangle», but entangle stresses being caught and trapped. Opposite: disentangle (untangle).

In Jewish tradition

It means to trip someone up or tie up their way. Job's enemies block his path. In Joel the locust army marches in perfect order.

Interpretation. In Job it is a picture of a man hemmed in by enemies. In Joel the locust army is read as a sign of how strong a force sent by God can be.

Examples

• Upon my right hand rise the brood; they entangle my feet, and they cast up against me their ways of destruction. (Writings JOB.30.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• They run like mighty men, they climb the wall like men of war; and they move on every one in his ways, and they entangle not their paths. (Prophets JOL.2.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb. Usually used with «in» or «with»: entangled in a net. Similar to «tangle», but entangle stresses being caught and trapped. Opposite: disentangle (untangle).