undoing

/ʌnˈduːɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [əndˈuɪŋ] /ʌnˈduːɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [əndˈuɪŋ] /ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ How to pronounce undoing (audio)/ (ame, mw)

undoing — noun

1. the weakness, mistake, or outside force that finally brings someone or something

1.名詞C1
釋義

the weakness, mistake, or outside force that finally brings someone or something to failure

例句

Cyrus's gambling debt became the family's undoing after the shop closed.

pattern: someone's undoing

Pride proved the mayor's undoing during the flood response.

同義詞
  • downfall

    usually names the fall itself more than the cause behind it

  • fatal flaw

    stresses an inner weakness rather than outside pressure

  • ruin

    broader and more focused on the damaged final state

反義詞
  • strength

    a quality that helps someone stay successful instead of collapsing

  • salvation

    something that saves a person or plan from failure

文法句型

someone's undoing

the undoing of + person/group

用法筆記

Often appears in the pattern "someone's undoing" and points to the final flaw or pressure that brings a person, group, or plan down.

常見錯誤

❌His laziness was his failure.
✅His laziness was his undoing.
💡'undoing' names the thing that brings someone down, not the failed result itself.

2. the act of loosening or opening something that has been tied, fastened, or secur

2.名詞C1
釋義

the act of loosening or opening something that has been tied, fastened, or secured

例句

Theo finished the undoing of the rope before the boat drifted away.

undoing of + rope/knot/strap

Soraya paused during the undoing of the necklace clasp.

同義詞
  • unfastening

    focuses on clips, buttons, and other fasteners

  • loosening

    can describe making something less tight, not always fully opening it

  • untying

    used most naturally for knots, ropes, and laces

反義詞
  • fastening

    means securing something in place

  • tying

    focuses on making or tightening a knot

文法句型

the undoing of + knot/button/strap

用法筆記

Usually follows 'of' plus the thing being opened or loosened. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about cancelling a decision rather than physically releasing something.

常見錯誤

❌The undoing of the box took one second.
✅The undoing of the knot took one second.
💡This sense is used for loosening something tied or fastened, not for opening any object.

3. the act of cancelling an earlier action, order, or decision so that it no longer

3.名詞C1
釋義

the act of cancelling an earlier action, order, or decision so that it no longer has effect

例句

Christopher welcomed the undoing of the travel ban before summer classes began.

undoing of + ban/order/decision

Beatriz argued for the undoing of the contract after the fraud report.

argue for the undoing of + act

同義詞
  • reversal

    can be broader and does not always stress formal cancellation

  • cancellation

    plain everyday word for making something no longer valid

  • rescission

    formal legal word, especially for contracts

反義詞
  • approval

    allows an act or plan to stand instead of removing it

  • confirmation

    keeps an earlier decision in force

文法句型

the undoing of + rule/deal/decision

用法筆記

Common in formal discussion of law, policy, or administration. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense removes the force of an earlier act, not a knot or fastening.

常見錯誤

❌The undoing of the lunch order saved time.
✅The undoing of the court order saved time.
💡This sense is about cancelling a rule, order, or formal act with legal or official effect.