tangle To tangle something is to mess it up or create a situation that is difficult to undo. - When people go fishing, sometimes their fishing line gets tangled.
- String can easily become tangled if it’s not wrapped around something such as a ball.
- Yarn is easily tangled. (This sentence is in the passive voice and in the present tense.)
- Whenever I put my Christmas lights up or take them down, the strings of lights always get tangled.
- The lights become a tangled mess. (The word "tangled" is an adjective.)
- Hair can easily tangle if it isn’t combed of brushed.
- Flies become tangled in a spider web and are unable to escape.
 It can be difficult to untangle holiday lights.
The word "tangle" can be used figuratively when describing situations of deep involvement: - Rodney became tangled up in gang activity and was arrested by the police.
- Many people resist getting tangled up in politics.
- Don’t tangle with wild animals. You will probably get hurt. (tangle with = fight or tease)
- It’s not smart to tangle with the police because they have guns and tasers.
The word "tangle" can also be used as a noun: - This shampoo claims to reduce tangles.
- Sophia’s mother uses a special brush to remove the tangles from her daughter’s hair.
- Todd got into a tangle with the police.
- I had to undo a tangle of knots on my children’s shoes.
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It can be difficult to untangle holiday lights.