The boy had gotten tangled up with a bad bunch of kids and was in serious trouble.
Usage notes: usually said about someone who causes you trouble
(redirected from tangled up with someone)
tangled up with (someone or something)
Involved, embroiled, or entrapped with someone or something that proves to be awkward, difficult, or troublesome. I don't know why I ever got tangled up with them—they've only gotten me in trouble!His money is all tangled up with some dodgy investment firm.