Fig.: to solve a difficult problem in a quick and decisive manner

The President hoped that his bold new financial plan would cut the Gordian knot of inflation

Il presidente sperava che il suo nuovo e audace piano finanziario avrebbe sciolto il nodo gordiano del problema inflazione

This problem is too complex and difficult to solve. We've lost too much time already, it's time we cut the Gordian knot and go on

Questo problema è troppo complesso e difficile da risolvere. Abbiamo già perso troppo tempo: è ora di tagliare questo nodo gordiano e andare avanti

Gordius, a peasant declared King of Phrygia, dedicated his wagon to Jupiter and brought it to the temple. He then tied the yoke to the beam with an inextricable knot and an oracle declared that the man who could untie the Gordian knot would become the ruler of all Asia. No one could untie the knot, but Alexander the Great impatiently cut it with a single stroke of his sword: and Asia was his!