uncap

/ʌnˈkæp/ (bre, ipa) · /ʌnˈkæp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈkap How to pronounce uncap (audio)/ (ame, mw)

uncap — verb

  • uncappresent simple I / you / we / they
  • uncaps3rd person singular
  • uncapping-ing form
  • uncappedpast simple

1. to take the lid or top off a container or tool so it can be opened or used.

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to take the lid or top off a container or tool so it can be opened or used.

例句

Imran uncapped the water bottle before handing it to his sister.

uncap + bottle or container

The nurse uncapped the syringe only after checking the patient's name twice.

uncap + medical tool

同義詞
  • open

    broader; used for doors, boxes, apps, and many things without a cap

  • unscrew

    specifically suggests turning a threaded lid before removing it

  • remove

    more general and does not itself suggest a cap or lid

反義詞
  • cap

    to put a cap or top back on something

  • seal

    to close something tightly so air or liquid cannot get out

文法句型

uncap + noun phrase

用法筆記

Usually takes a direct object such as a bottle, pen, syringe, or jar. Use this sense when something has a removable top, not when you simply open a door, box, or app.

常見錯誤

❌I uncapped the door and walked inside.
✅I opened the door and walked inside.
💡'uncap' is for taking off a lid or top, not for opening something without a cap.
❌She uncapped the lunch box and took out the rice.
✅She opened the lunch box and took out the rice.
💡a lunch box is normally opened, not uncapped, unless you mean removing a small cap.

2. to remove a highest allowed amount, especially on money that may be charged, pai

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to remove a highest allowed amount, especially on money that may be charged, paid, or spent.

例句

The new law uncapped school lunch prices across the whole county.

uncap + prices or fees

Ministers voted to uncap the city's housing budget after the floods.

同義詞
  • lift

    common in formal writing for removing a ban or limit

  • remove

    broader and less tied to official limits or ceilings

  • deregulate

    wider in scope; can refer to reducing legal control, not just ending one cap

反義詞
  • cap

    to set a maximum amount that cannot be exceeded

  • limit

    to keep an amount, size, or level within a boundary

文法句型

uncap + price / fee / budget / payment

用法筆記

Common in government, business, and policy writing. The object is usually a price, fee, payment, budget, or other ceiling on spending; if the limit is merely raised rather than removed, use a verb like 'raise' instead.

常見錯誤

❌The city uncapped the speed limit to 50 kph.
✅The city raised the speed limit to 50 kph.
💡'uncap' means removing the top limit completely, not increasing it a little.
❌The school uncapped the class from twenty students.
✅The school removed the class limit of twenty students.
💡this sense works best with a named cap or ceiling, especially in policy or finance contexts.

3. to make strong feelings come out after they have been kept hidden for some time.

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make strong feelings come out after they have been kept hidden for some time.

例句

The judge's remark uncapped years of anger in the packed courtroom.

uncap + hidden anger

Seeing the old photo uncapped grief that Tamar had hidden since childhood.

同義詞
  • unleash

    stronger; suggests sudden, forceful release

  • release

    broader and can describe emotions or physical things

  • bring out

    more general; does not itself suggest long-hidden feeling

反義詞
  • suppress

    to stop a feeling from being shown

  • bottle up

    to keep strong feelings inside instead of expressing them

文法句型

uncap + anger / grief / emotion

用法筆記

Usually takes nouns such as anger, grief, sorrow, or emotion. The subject is often a remark, event, memory, or meeting that suddenly lets those feelings show.

常見錯誤

❌The news uncapped happiness in the team.
✅The news brought out happiness in the team.
💡this sense is mainly used for strong feelings that were held down, especially painful ones.
❌Her teacher uncapped the answer in class.
✅Her teacher brought out the answer in class.
💡this sense is about releasing emotion, not revealing any kind of hidden thing.

4. to change a modem so it can go online without using the provider or payment limi

4.動詞及物C2
釋義

to change a modem so it can go online without using the provider or payment limits it originally had.

例句

In college, Christopher uncapped his modem to avoid the campus internet fee.

uncap + modem to avoid fees

The repair shop was caught uncapping modems for customers in town.

同義詞
  • hack

    broader informal verb for changing a system in an unofficial way

  • modify

    neutral and wider; does not suggest bypassing provider rules

  • unlock

    similar idea of removing restrictions, but used for many devices and services

反義詞
  • lock

    to keep a device limited to its intended settings or service

  • restrict

    to keep use within technical or service boundaries

文法句型

uncap + modem

用法筆記

A dated technical slang sense tied to older internet hardware. It often suggests unauthorized changes made so a modem can work outside the service plan it was sold with.

常見錯誤

❌I uncapped my phone to change the wallpaper.
✅I unlocked my phone to change the wallpaper.
💡this sense is about altering a modem, not opening or customizing any device.
❌The shop uncapped the laptop so it could start faster.
✅The shop modified the laptop so it could start faster.
💡'uncap' here is specific to modem access, not general hardware repair.

5. to take a cap off your own head or another person's head, often as a sign of res

5.動詞及物C1
釋義

to take a cap off your own head or another person's head, often as a sign of respect.

例句

The usher gently uncapped the boy before they entered the church.

formal act of removing a cap

At the anthem, David uncapped himself and stood by the gate.

同義詞
  • doff

    more literary verb for removing a hat respectfully

  • remove

    neutral and broader; does not itself imply respect

  • take off

    everyday phrase for removing clothing or a hat

反義詞
  • cap

    to put a cap on someone's head or on your own

  • cover

    to put something over the head rather than remove it

文法句型

uncap + person

uncap oneself

用法筆記

Often appears in formal or old-fashioned writing, especially in ceremonial, military, or religious settings. It may be reflexive when someone removes their own cap.

常見錯誤

❌He uncapped his coat before dinner.
✅He took off his coat before dinner.
💡this sense is only about removing a cap or hat from the head.
❌She uncapped the table before guests arrived.
✅She uncovered the table before guests arrived.
💡'uncap' here does not mean removing any kind of covering.