unhinge

/ʌnˈhɪndʒ/ (bre, ipa) · [ənhˈɪndʒ] /ʌnˈhɪndʒ/ (ame, ipa) · [ənhˈɪndʒ] /ˌən-ˈhinj How to pronounce unhinge (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unhinge — verb

  • unhingepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unhingeshe / she / it
  • unhingedpast simple
  • unhinging-ing form

1. to make someone become mentally or emotionally disturbed, often gradually, so th

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make someone become mentally or emotionally disturbed, often gradually, so that they can no longer think, feel, or behave in a normal, stable way — for example, when trauma, stress, or isolation slowly wears down a person's sanity.

例句

Losing her family in the earthquake unhinged the old woman, who wandered the streets talking.

passive construction: be unhinged by [traumatic event]

Rin's brilliant but paranoid father was slowly unhinged by years of government surveillance and isolation.

passive: be unhinged by [prolonged circumstance]

同義詞
  • derange

    more clinical and formal, often used in medical contexts

  • disturb

    broader and milder; can be temporary emotional upset rather than lasting mental damage

  • unnerve

    weaker than unhinge; implies a loss of confidence or composure rather than sanity

反義詞
  • stabilize

    to restore mental or emotional balance

  • calm

    to bring someone back to a normal, peaceful state

文法句型

be unhinged by [event/circumstance]

unhinge + [person]

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice (be unhinged by something). The subject of the active form is typically a traumatic event or prolonged stressful situation, not a person.

常見錯誤

❌His rude behavior unhinged me.
✅His rude behavior really annoyed me.
💡'unhinge' is too strong for minor irritation; it implies serious mental disturbance.
❌The surprise party unhinged her.
✅The surprise party made her very happy.
💡'unhinge' is only for negative, disturbing experiences, not positive surprises.

2. to take a door, gate, window, or similar object off its hinges so that it can be

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to take a door, gate, window, or similar object off its hinges so that it can be moved, repaired, or replaced — a practical action usually done with tools.

例句

The carpenter unhinged the heavy oak door before carrying it to his workshop for repairs.

unhinge + [physical object: door]

Before painting the fence, the gardener had to unhinge each section of the garden gate.

同義詞
  • detach

    broader term; any kind of separation, not just from hinges

  • remove

    most general; no implication of the method of attachment

文法句型

unhinge + [physical object: door/gate/window/cabinet]

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively for physical objects with hinges (doors, gates, cabinets, lids). Not used for removing other types of fasteners or attachments.

常見錯誤

❌He unhinged the screws from the wall.
✅He unscrewed the screws from the wall.
💡'unhinge' only applies to objects attached by hinges, not screws or nails.
❌She unhinged the picture from the wall.
✅She took the picture down from the wall.
💡pictures do not have hinges.