unlocking
/ʌnˈlɒk/ (bre, ipa) · [ənlˈɑkɪŋ] /ʌnˈlɑːk/ (ame, ipa)
unlocking — verb
- unlockingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- unlockings3rd person singular
- unlockinging-ing form
- unlockingedpast simple
1. to release the lock on a door, gate, or container so it can be opened, usually b
to release the lock on a door, gate, or container so it can be opened, usually by using a metal key or tapping a code on a keypad
Kofi unlocked the front door with his key and stepped into the warm kitchen.
unlock + door with a key
Nadia entered the code to unlock the locker near the swimming pool.
enter a code to unlock a locker
The security guard unlocked the heavy gate at exactly eight o'clock every morning.
Cyrus unlocked the garden shed and pulled out the lawnmower and some tools.
文法句型
unlock + noun phrase (door, gate, locker, safe)
用法筆記
The object is usually a door, gate, locker, or container that has a physical or electronic lock. This sense does not apply to phones or software.
常見錯誤
2. to type a security code, trace a pattern, or scan your fingerprint on a phone or
to type a security code, trace a pattern, or scan your fingerprint on a phone or tablet so the screen wakes up and you can start using it
Anna glanced at her phone and unlocked it to check the morning weather forecast.
unlock a phone to check something
Jin held up his phone, unlocked the screen, and showed everyone the holiday photos.
Eve unlocked her tablet with a quick swipe and opened her email messages.
Liam unlocked his phone with his fingerprint while waiting for the bus to arrive.
The phone locked itself after a minute, so Nila had to unlock it again to continue talking.
- activate
broader; can mean turning on any device, not just screen-unlocking
- lock
the screen-lock function
文法句型
unlock + pronoun (phone, screen, device)
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person. The object is the phone or its screen. Frequently used with methods such as 'with a password', 'with a fingerprint', or 'by face recognition'.
常見錯誤
3. to remove the software restriction that stops a mobile phone from being used wit
to remove the software restriction that stops a mobile phone from being used with a different company's SIM card, allowing it to work on any network
Andrés had his phone unlocked to switch to a cheaper network provider.
have + object + unlocked (causative passive)
Before flying to Kenya, Eve asked the shop to unlock her phone for a local SIM card.
Cyrus unlocked his old iPhone after the contract ended and sold it online.
Most phone companies will unlock your device for free once you finish paying for it.
- unblock
sometimes used interchangeably in this context, but less precise
- lock
a phone can be carrier-locked to one network
文法句型
unlock + noun phrase (phone, device, iPhone, model)
用法筆記
The object must be a mobile phone or mobile device. This sense describes changing the carrier restriction, not unlocking the screen. Distinguish from sense 2 (unlocking the screen with a password).
常見錯誤
4. to find concealed or little-known facts and share them with others, leading to n
to find concealed or little-known facts and share them with others, leading to new insights and awareness
The historian's research unlocked surprising facts about the daily lives of medieval farmers.
research + unlock + facts about [topic]
New DNA technology helped scientists unlock the origins of a rare childhood disease.
Kofi's interview with the former workers unlocked stories that had never been told before.
The archaeologist hoped that the buried tablets would unlock the secrets of the forgotten kingdom.
文法句型
unlock + noun phrase (secrets, mysteries, facts, truth)
用法筆記
The object is typically an abstract noun such as 'secrets', 'mysteries', 'truth', or 'facts'. Frequently used in academic, scientific, or journalistic contexts.
5. to make something valuable or useful available for use, when previously it was n
to make something valuable or useful available for use, when previously it was not being used well or at all
The new trade agreement unlocked the country's economic potential after years of stagnation.
unlock + economic / creative / human potential
Eitan's coaching programme unlocked talents in young athletes that no one had noticed before.
Investing in public education can unlock human creativity and drive innovation across a whole society.
The grant unlocked funding for community projects that had been waiting for years to start.
文法句型
unlock + noun phrase (potential, value, creativity, resources)
用法筆記
Subject is often an abstract thing such as a policy, programme, investment, or agreement. Object is typically an abstract noun like 'potential', 'value', 'creativity', 'talent', or 'resources'.
常見錯誤
6. to gain access to new content inside a video game, such as levels, characters, o
to gain access to new content inside a video game, such as levels, characters, or abilities, by completing a task or reaching a goal
After defeating the dragon, Jin unlocked a secret level with rare weapons and treasures.
unlock + secret level / bonus stage
Players unlock new costumes by winning each race in under two minutes.
Kofi unlocked the hidden trophy for finishing the whole game without using any hints.
Anna spent the whole weekend playing the puzzle game to unlock all the bonus stages.
The fighting game lets you unlock four additional characters once you complete the story mode.
- earn
focuses on the effort required; 'unlock' focuses on the access granted
- gain access to
formal and longer; less common in gaming contexts
- unblock
less common in gaming; more common for websites and accounts
文法句型
unlock + noun phrase (level, character, weapon, achievement, feature)
用法筆記
Subject is usually a player. The object is in-game content (level, character, weapon, achievement, costume, trophy). Common in game reviews, tutorials, and player discussions.
7. to make someone's imagination or mind more active and creative, producing new id
to make someone's imagination or mind more active and creative, producing new ideas and images
Listening to live jazz music unlocked Henrik's imagination and inspired him to write poetry.
unlock + imagination / creativity / mind
The teacher's hands-on art project unlocked the children's imaginations in ways no textbook could.
A walk through the art gallery unlocked creative ideas for Liam's design work.
Reading fantasy stories as a child unlocked Nila's imagination and shaped her love of drawing.
文法句型
unlock + noun phrase (imagination, creativity, mind)
用法筆記
Subject is typically an experience, art, music, or literature. Object is almost always 'imagination', 'creativity', or 'the mind'. This sense is positive and suggests a freeing of creative thinking.
常見錯誤
8. to come open on its own or get free from a locked state, without someone activel
to come open on its own or get free from a locked state, without someone actively releasing the lock
The old suitcase unlocked by itself when Henrik dropped it onto the hard floor.
inanimate subject + unlock (intransitive)
The back door of the van unlocked during the bumpy ride and swung wide open.
Nadia's bicycle lock finally unlocked after being stuck in the rain for several weeks.
The drawer unlocked with a click when Andrés pushed it at the right angle.
- come open
more general; does not specifically refer to a lock
- come undone
general; describes fasteners coming loose
- give way
suggests a lock breaking under pressure
- lock
intransitive — 'the door locked automatically'
文法句型
noun phrase + unlock(s) (no object)
用法筆記
No direct object. The subject is the thing that becomes unfastened. This sense describes an event rather than a deliberate action. Frequently used with 'by itself' or 'on its own' to emphasise that no person caused it.