Is there an expression that describes trying to take one thing and inadvertently dragging along many things attached to or entangled with that thing? I feel like there ought to be some common word or phrase for it, but nothing springs to mind.
Sort of the unraveling the Christmas lights problem.... and given that we get the less used word ravel
ravel -els -eling, -eled 1. to tangle (threads, fibres, etc.) or (of threads, fibres, etc.) to become entangled 2. to tease or draw out (the fibers of a fabric or garment) or (of a garment or fabric) to fray out in loose ends; unravel 3. (tr; usually foll by out) to disentangle or resolve to ravel out a complicated story 4. to break up (a road surface) in patches or (of a road surface) to begin to break up; fret; scab 5. Archaic to make or become confused or complicated n a tangle or complication
And the ancillary word raveling, which refers to a thread or fiber that has become separated from a woven material.
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ravel
-els -eling, -eled
1. to tangle (threads, fibres, etc.) or (of threads, fibres, etc.) to become entangled
2. to tease or draw out (the fibers of a fabric or garment) or (of a garment or fabric) to fray out in loose ends; unravel
3. (tr; usually foll by out) to disentangle or resolve to ravel out a complicated story
4. to break up (a road surface) in patches or (of a road surface) to begin to break up; fret; scab
5. Archaic to make or become confused or complicated
n
a tangle or complication
And the ancillary word raveling, which refers to a thread or fiber that has become separated from a woven material.
On a related note:
I'm reminded of this item from ThinkGeek...
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/8b4e/