1To become tangled or entangled (e.g. hair, thread, cords); to get knotted so things cannot move freely.
朝、髪がもつれてブラシが通らなかった。
In the morning my hair was tangled and the brush wouldn't go through.
バッグの中でイヤホンがもつれていた。
My earphones got tangled inside my bag.
古い糸が縺れてしまって縫えない。
The old thread has become tangled and I can't sew.
2To have poor control (of one's tongue, feet, etc.); to falter, stumble (in speech or movement).
緊張して舌がもつれて何と言っていいか分からなかった。
I was so nervous my tongue got tangled and I didn't know what to say.
年を取って足がもつれて転びそうになった。
As he got older his feet faltered and he nearly fell.
早口で話したら舌がもつれて聞き返された。
I spoke too fast and my words came out jumbled, so I was asked to repeat.
3To become complicated or messy; a situation or negotiation getting into a tangle and becoming difficult to resolve.
交渉がもつれて期限を過ぎてしまった。
The negotiations became tangled and we missed the deadline.
人員配置がもつれてプロジェクトが遅れている。
Staffing got tangled up and the project is delayed.
家族の事情がもつれて話が長引いた。
Family matters became complicated and the discussion dragged on.