unlocked
/ʌnˈlɒk/ (bre, ipa) · [ənlˈɑkt] /ʌnˈlɑːk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌʌnˈlɒkt/ (bre, ipa) · [ənlˈɑkt] /ˌʌnˈlɑːkt/ (ame, ipa)
unlocked — verb
1. past tense of unlock — released the lock of a door, gate, box, or similar object
past tense of unlock — released the lock of a door, gate, box, or similar object so that it could be opened, usually by turning a key or entering a code.
Adaeze unlocked the front door and stepped into the dark hallway.
unlocked + door + then action
The guard unlocked the warehouse gate at six o'clock every morning.
unlocked + gate + time adverbial
Takeshi unlocked the bicycle chain and rode towards the bakery.
Layla unlocked the small wooden box with a tiny silver key.
The teacher unlocked the classroom early so the students could practise.
- locked
the opposite action — fastened with a lock
文法句型
unlocked + door/gate/box
unlocked + noun + with + key/code
用法筆記
Object is the thing with the lock (door, gate, box, drawer), not the key itself. The instrument is introduced by with or using. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about phones and tablets, and sense 3, which is about removing a network restriction.
常見錯誤
2. past tense of unlock — gave the passcode, pattern, or fingerprint that turned a
past tense of unlock — gave the passcode, pattern, or fingerprint that turned a phone or tablet screen on so the device was ready to use.
Anya unlocked her phone and quickly checked the message from her sister.
unlocked + phone + then action
Caleb unlocked the tablet with his fingerprint before opening the map.
unlocked + device + with + fingerprint
Chiara unlocked her phone using face recognition on the train platform.
The boy unlocked the screen with a six-digit code his mother had set.
- opened
informal in tech contexts; less precise about the screen state
- locked
put the screen back into the protected state
文法句型
unlocked + phone/tablet/screen
unlocked + device + with + fingerprint/code
用法筆記
Subject is the user; object is the phone, tablet, or screen. Frequently appears with by + method or with + tool (fingerprint, face, passcode). Distinguish from sense 1, which is about physical locks, and sense 3, which is about phone networks.
常見錯誤
3. past tense of unlock — removed a software restriction so that a handset could co
past tense of unlock — removed a software restriction so that a handset could connect to other carriers' networks, not only the one that originally sold the device.
The shop unlocked Hamza's phone in twenty minutes for a small fee.
unlocked + phone + for a fee
After her contract ended, Madison got her phone unlocked for foreign travel.
passive: got + phone + unlocked
The technician unlocked the phone so any SIM card from any company would work.
The handset was finally unlocked once the last monthly payment cleared.
- unblocked
sometimes used in everyday speech but less precise for network unlocking
文法句型
unlocked + phone + for + network/country
phone + was/got + unlocked
用法筆記
Subject is usually a shop, network operator, or technician; object is the phone or handset. Often passive (be unlocked, get unlocked). Distinguish from sense 2, which is about the screen, not the network.
4. past tense of unlock — uncovered important new information about a subject and s
past tense of unlock — uncovered important new information about a subject and shared it widely — for example, when scientists worked out the meaning of an ancient script and published the result.
The research team unlocked the secrets of an ancient writing system from Crete.
unlocked + the secrets of + something
New DNA tests unlocked the truth about a cold case from the 1980s.
unlocked + the truth about + something
A group of geologists unlocked fresh information about how mountains form.
Old letters from the captain unlocked the mystery of the missing ship.
- concealed
kept the facts hidden on purpose
文法句型
unlocked + the secrets/truth/mystery + of + something
用法筆記
Object is almost always an abstract noun (secrets, truth, mystery, information). Common in academic, investigative, and journalistic writing. Distinguish from sense 5, where the object is potential or value rather than facts.
5. past tense of unlock — made something such as a skill, resource, or opportunity
past tense of unlock — made something such as a skill, resource, or opportunity become available and used well, when before it was not being used to its full extent.
A summer dance camp unlocked Charlotte's real talent for choreography.
unlocked + person's + talent for + activity
Cheaper credit unlocked the economic potential of many small farming towns.
unlocked + the potential of + group
The new policy unlocked opportunities for young people without a university degree.
Patient coaching unlocked Aarav's confidence on the football pitch.
- released
broader; may lack the idea of putting something to full use
- tapped into
phrasal verb; suggests reaching a resource that was waiting
- stifled
stopped a skill or resource from developing
文法句型
unlocked + potential/value/power/opportunities
用法筆記
Subject is typically an abstract noun (training, education, policy, investment) or a tool. Object is an abstract noun like potential, value, talent, opportunities. Distinguish from sense 4, where the object is hidden facts rather than ability or value.
6. past tense of unlock — made hidden content in a video game, such as a new level,
past tense of unlock — made hidden content in a video game, such as a new level, character, or item, become available, usually after finishing a challenge or reaching a goal.
Caleb unlocked a secret level after finding every coin in the forest map.
unlocked + level + after + condition
Selim unlocked a rare sword by defeating the dragon on hard mode.
unlocked + item + by + condition
Ayana unlocked three new characters during the weekend tournament.
The team unlocked every achievement before the end of the school holidays.
文法句型
unlocked + level/character/feature/achievement
unlocked + reward + by/after + condition
用法筆記
Common in gaming forums and reviews. Object is the reward (level, character, item, achievement). Condition is introduced by after, by, or once. Distinguish from sense 5, where the unlocked thing is real-world potential, not in-game content.
7. past tense of unlock — set a person's imagination free so it started producing f
past tense of unlock — set a person's imagination free so it started producing fresh ideas and clear pictures in the mind.
A summer trip to Kyoto unlocked Eliska's imagination and she filled a sketchbook.
unlocked + person's + imagination
Music lessons unlocked the creativity that Kabir had hidden for years.
An old library in Lisbon unlocked the imagination of every child who visited.
Reading folk tales aloud unlocked the imagination of Antonia's young students.
- stimulated
more scientific; suggests activating the mind
- unleashed
stronger; suggests a sudden, powerful release of creative energy
- inhibited
held back creative thinking
文法句型
unlocked + the/someone's + imagination/creativity
用法筆記
Object is almost always imagination, creativity, or mind. Subject is typically an experience (a trip, lessons, a book, music) that inspires creative thought. Distinguish from sense 5, which is about practical potential, not imaginative ideas.
unlocked — adjective
- unlockedpositive
- more unlockedcomparative
- most unlockedsuperlative
1. describing a door, window, drawer, phone, or other object whose lock is not clos
describing a door, window, drawer, phone, or other object whose lock is not closed, so anyone can open or use it without a key, code, or fingerprint.
Antonia found the side gate unlocked when she came home from work.
found + noun + unlocked (predicative)
An unlocked phone is risky on a crowded bus, especially at night.
attributive: unlocked + phone
The unlocked drawer in Léa's desk was full of old photographs.
Ari left the bicycle unlocked outside the cafe for only a minute.
The back door was unlocked, so the cat slipped into the kitchen.
文法句型
unlocked + noun
be + unlocked
用法筆記
Can appear before a noun (an unlocked phone) or after a linking verb (the door was unlocked). Often used after the verbs find, leave, or be to report a state that was not expected or not safe.