unblock

/ˌʌnˈblɒk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnˈblɑːk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈbläk How to pronounce unblock (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unblock — verb

  • unblockpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unblockshe / she / it
  • unblockedpast simple
  • unblocking-ing form

1. to free a pipe, drain, or similar passage from a clog so that water, air, or oth

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to free a pipe, drain, or similar passage from a clog so that water, air, or other material can pass through normally again

例句

Wei unblocked the kitchen sink with a plunger after it stopped draining.

unblock + [object] + with + [tool]

The building manager called a plumber to unblock the toilet on the third floor.

同義詞
  • unclog

    more informal; used almost exclusively for pipes and drains

  • clear

    broader meaning — can mean removing contents or obstruction

  • open up

    phrasal verb; emphasises creating a passage rather than removing a specific obstruction

反義詞
  • block

    the direct opposite — to put an obstruction in place

  • clog

    to become blocked, especially with sticky or semi-solid material

文法句型

unblock + [object] + with + [tool]

unblock + [object: pipe/drain/sink]

用法筆記

Commonly used with household plumbing vocabulary: sink, drain, pipe, toilet, chimney. The object is always the blocked item itself, not the material that is stuck inside it.

常見錯誤

❌I unblocked the water from the pipe.
✅I unblocked the pipe.
💡the object of 'unblock' must be the blocked thing (pipe, drain), not the thing flowing through it.

2. to restore access to a phone, website, account, or user that was restricted, loc

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to restore access to a phone, website, account, or user that was restricted, locked, or suspended — for instance, entering a passcode to reactivate a phone, or using a VPN to reach a streaming site that was banned in your area

例句

Deepa unblocked her phone by entering the correct security code after several failed attempts.

unblock + [device] + by + [method]

Omar used a VPN service to unblock streaming websites that were restricted in his country.

to unblock + [restricted online content]

同義詞
  • unlock

    used specifically for phones and screens; implies entering a password or PIN

  • unban

    used for users or accounts that were banned for policy violations

  • reactivate

    broader — implies restoring full functionality, not just removing a block

反義詞
  • block

    to prevent access to a website, user, or device

  • lock

    to secure a device or account so it cannot be used without authorisation

  • suspend

    to temporarily remove access, typically for policy reasons

文法句型

unblock + [device: phone/account]

unblock + [website/site/user]

unblock + [object] + by + [method]

用法筆記

Subject is typically a person (user, administrator, IT staff) or an automated system. The object can be a device (phone), digital content (website, streaming site), or a person's account or profile.

常見錯誤

❌Please unblock the website for me to access.
✅Please unblock the website so I can access it.
💡an infinitive of purpose after 'unblock' reads unnaturally; use a 'so that' clause instead.