unpack
/ˌʌnˈpæk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnˈpæk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈpak/ (ame, mw)
unpack — verb
- unpackpresent simple I / you / we / they
- unpackshe / she / it
- unpackedpast simple
- unpacking-ing form
1. when you unpack a suitcase or other container, you take out all the belongings t
when you unpack a suitcase or other container, you take out all the belongings that you had placed inside it earlier — the action is common after arriving from a trip or moving to a new home.
Ilan spent ten minutes unpacking his suitcase after returning from Japan.
collocation: unpack + suitcase
The movers carefully unpacked the fragile dishes from the wooden crate.
pattern: unpack + from + container
Sumin unpacked her backpack and laid all the camping gear on the floor.
It took Rachid almost an hour to unpack everything from the moving boxes.
Romi unpacked the books and arranged them neatly on the shelf by the window.
- empty
broader — 'empty a suitcase' means to remove everything without the sense of unfolding or unwrapping items inside
- unload
usually for vehicles or large containers, not personal luggage; suggests removing a heavy load
- unwrap
narrower — only means removing wrapping paper, not the full process of taking items out
- pack
the direct opposite — putting items into a suitcase or box
文法句型
unpack + noun (suitcase, bag, box)
unpack + from + noun
unpack (no object)
用法筆記
Intransitive use (e.g. 'I haven't unpacked yet') implies unpacking luggage after travel. Common in the phrase 'live out of a suitcase' as an opposite image — never really unpacking properly.
常見錯誤
2. to examine a statement, idea, or situation thoroughly in order to reveal its hid
to examine a statement, idea, or situation thoroughly in order to reveal its hidden meaning, assumptions, or implications — for example, unpacking a politician's speech to see what they really meant.
Professor Selim unpacked the poem's hidden meanings line by line with the class.
figurative usage: unpack + hidden meanings
Rania unpacked the implications of the new policy in her research paper.
collocation: unpack + implications
The journalist unpacked the politician's vague promise during the live interview.
Ignacio unpacked the assumptions behind the economic theory in a clear way.
This documentary unpacks the complex history of the region for a general audience.
- analyse
more general and neutral; does not carry the metaphor of layers being revealed
- deconstruct
stronger focus on breaking down structure and exposing assumptions; often used in academic or critical theory contexts
- explicate
more formal; used mainly for literary or philosophical texts
- dissect
more vivid and informal; suggests taking something apart with careful, almost surgical attention
文法句型
unpack + noun (abstract concept)
unpack + what/why/how clause
用法筆記
Subject is often a person with analytical authority (critic, professor, journalist) or an inanimate source of analysis (article, documentary, book). The object must be something that has layers of meaning such as a text, statement, concept, or situation — not a simple fact. Distinguish from sense 1 (UNPACK BAGS) which involves physical containers.