快刀断乱麻 kuàidāoduànluànmá to cut the Gordian knot Origin Definitions Defs Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 快刀 kuàidāo sharp knife a sharp knife or blade; can also refer to a switchblade断 斷 duàn verb to break to break or snap; to cut or sever into pieces乱麻 亂麻 luànmá mess a tangled skein; a hodgepodge; a situation that is extremely confused or lacks a clear starting point