Snarl up
verb
To become, or cause to become, tangled or complicated.
An accident has snarled up traffic in the city center.

Often appears as...
- traffic snarled up
- work snarled up
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To become, or cause to become, tangled or complicated.
An accident has snarled up traffic in the city center.

Often appears as...
- traffic snarled up
- work snarled up
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 1

Figurative Use
Often used to describe situations or processes that are delayed or made more difficult.

The project was snarled up due to unforeseen regulations.
Negative Connotation
Implies frustration or problems, suggesting something is hindered from moving smoothly.

Negotiations got snarled up because of disagreements.
Colloquial Context
Used in informal conversation, not typically in formal writing or official documents.

The software update has really snarled up my phone's performance.
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