detach

/dɪˈtætʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈtætʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈtach dē-/ (ame, mw)

detach — verb

  • detachpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • detacheshe / she / it
  • detachedpast simple
  • detaching-ing form

1. to pull, cut, or undo something so that it comes free from what it was joined to

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to pull, cut, or undo something so that it comes free from what it was joined to; also, for a part to come away by itself

例句

Javier detached the old trailer from the back of his truck.

detach + something + from + something

Keiko carefully detached the photo from the album page with a knife.

同義詞
  • separate

    broader term; does not imply a prior physical connection

  • disconnect

    often used for electrical or digital links, less physical

  • unfasten

    specifically for undoing a clasp, button, or fastener

  • remove

    general term for taking something away, not necessarily breaking a join

反義詞
  • attach

    the direct opposite: to join or connect one thing to another

文法句型

detach + something + from + something

detach + from + something

用法筆記

Frequently used with 'from' to specify what the thing is being separated from. In intransitive use, the subject is the part that comes away.

常見錯誤

❌I detached the door and it opened.
✅I detached the door from its hinges and removed it.
💡'detach' means to disconnect something, not simply to open it.

2. to deliberately pull yourself away from a person, group, or situation that you w

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to deliberately pull yourself away from a person, group, or situation that you were involved with

例句

Priya detached herself from the argument and walked into the kitchen.

detach + oneself + from

Dmitri found it hard to detach himself from the company after retiring.

同義詞
  • withdraw

    often formal; can describe military or official removal as well

  • disengage

    emphasises ending involvement; more formal than detach

  • distance oneself

    used when creating emotional or social space; more colloquial

反義詞
  • engage

    to become involved or committed to a person or situation

文法句型

detach + oneself + from + somebody/something

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'from'. The object is typically the person themselves in reflexive form (detach oneself). Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is a physical thing being disconnected.

常見錯誤

❌She detached the meeting early.
✅She detached herself from the meeting early.
💡sense 2 requires the reflexive 'herself' or 'himself' as the object.

3. to split off a section of soldiers from the main body of troops and assign them

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to split off a section of soldiers from the main body of troops and assign them a separate task

例句

The general detached three medics from the main unit to help the village.

detach + soldiers + from + main unit

Captain Bjorn was detached from his regiment and sent to the border post.

passive: be detached

同義詞
  • assign

    more general; used in military and civilian contexts alike

  • second

    formal, especially British: to temporarily transfer an employee or officer

  • deploy

    emphasises positioning troops or resources for action; broader scope

文法句型

detach + soldiers/unit + from + main force

be detached + for/to + mission

用法筆記

Usually passive or used with a military rank or title as the subject. Common in official orders, reports, and historical accounts.

常見錯誤

❌The manager detached two staff to help sales.
✅The manager reassigned two staff to help sales.
💡sense 3 is military; for civilian work contexts, use 'reassign' or 'transfer' instead.