unchain

/ʌnˈtʃeɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /ʌnˈtʃeɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈchān/ (ame, mw)

unchain — verb

  • unchainpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unchains3rd person singular
  • unchaining-ing form
  • unchainedpast simple

1. to remove the chain that has been holding a person, animal, gate, or other objec

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to remove the chain that has been holding a person, animal, gate, or other object in place.

例句

The guard unchained the gate before the first delivery truck arrived.

unchain + chained object before use

At sunrise, the farmer unchained the mule and led it to water.

同義詞
  • unfasten

    used for opening or loosening something fixed in place

  • free

    broader and often focused on the result of release

  • unlock

    used when a lock, rather than a chain, is opened

反義詞
  • chain up

    to fasten someone or something with a chain

  • shackle

    to restrain with metal fasteners

文法句型

unchain + animal/object

be unchained

用法筆記

Usually used when there is a real chain on an animal, gate, or other object. If no chain is involved, English more often uses words such as 'unlock' or 'free'.

常見錯誤

❌The app unchained with my password.
✅The app unlocked with my password.
💡'unchain' is for actual chains, not ordinary digital access.

2. to free a person or group from rules, fear, debt, or other forces that have been

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to free a person or group from rules, fear, debt, or other forces that have been holding them back.

例句

The new law could unchain small farmers from debts that never ended.

unchain + group + from + burden

Padma finally unchained herself from constant fear after therapy.

unchain yourself from + emotion

同義詞
  • free

    the broad everyday word for removing control or restraint

  • liberate

    more formal and often used in political contexts

  • unshackle

    vivid and often used for strong figurative restraints

反義詞
  • bind

    to tie someone to a controlling force

  • trap

    to keep someone in a limiting situation

文法句型

unchain + person/group + from + control

unchain yourself from + fear/debt

用法筆記

Often followed by 'from' plus the force that held someone back, such as fear, debt, shame, or strict control. Common in writing about personal change, politics, or social reform.

常見錯誤

❌The holiday unchained me from work for two days.
✅The holiday gave me a break from work for two days.
💡'unchain' suggests a stronger release from long-term control or pressure.

3. to stop putting strict limits on a system, activity, or process so it can develo

3.動詞及物C2
釋義

to stop putting strict limits on a system, activity, or process so it can develop more freely.

例句

Cheap data plans unchained online shopping in small mountain towns.

policy or access change opens growth

The software update unchained the camera and added manual controls.

unchain + product by removing limits

同義詞
  • deregulate

    used especially for rules on markets or industries

  • unlock

    common for making potential or capacity available

  • loosen

    more general and less vivid than 'unchain'

反義詞
  • restrict

    to keep something within strict limits

  • cap

    to impose a fixed upper limit

文法句型

unchain + market/system/activity

unchain + growth/creativity/innovation

用法筆記

The object is usually a market, technology, rule-bound activity, or creative process rather than a person. Distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on freeing people from control or pressure.

常見錯誤

❌The new teacher unchained the students in class.
✅The new teacher gave the students more freedom in class.
💡this sense is about removing limits from a system or activity, not directly freeing people.