To free something from being twisted or knotted together, or to work through a complicated problem to make it clear and understandable.
From 'un-' (to reverse) and 'tangle,' which has roots in Old Norse 'tonga' (to grasp). The metaphorical meaning of clarifying confusion emerged naturally from the physical act.
Your headphone cables get tangled because loops naturally seek the lowest energy state—but untangling metaphorically (like understanding a confusing story) works in the opposite way, requiring mental energy and patience, which is why both feel frustrating!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.