unpacking

/ʌnˈpæk/ (bre, ipa) · [ənpˈækɪŋ] /ʌnˈpæk/ (ame, ipa)

unpacking — verb

  • unpackingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unpackings3rd person singular
  • unpackinging-ing form
  • unpackingedpast simple

1. to take your things out of suitcases, bags, or boxes, usually after a journey or

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to take your things out of suitcases, bags, or boxes, usually after a journey or a move

例句

Amir spent the first hour unpacking his suitcase at the hotel.

unpacking + [container] in a travel context

Yuna unpacked her shopping bags and put everything in the fridge.

同義詞
  • empty

    more general — used for any container, not just luggage

  • unload

    used for vehicles or large-scale removal of cargo

  • take out

    more casual; may not suggest finishing the whole job

反義詞
  • pack

    to put items into bags or boxes before travelling

文法句型

unpack + (something)

unpack + from + container

用法筆記

Often used without a stated object when the situation makes it obvious what is being unpacked, especially after travelling.

常見錯誤

I unpacked the hotel room before going out.
I unpacked my bags in the hotel room before going out.
💡You unpack a container (bag, suitcase, box), not a place.

2. to examine an idea or argument in detail, breaking it into smaller parts so its

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to examine an idea or argument in detail, breaking it into smaller parts so its meaning becomes clear

例句

The teacher unpacked the poem's central metaphor for the confused students.

Kwame spent the whole meeting carefully unpacking each section of the contract.

unpacking + [document] in a business context

同義詞
  • analyse

    more formal and often more systematic

  • break down

    more informal, emphasises separating into parts

  • explain

    more general — does not necessarily imply depth or detail

反義詞
  • gloss over

    to treat something superficially without detail

文法句型

unpack + [idea/argument/concept/theory]

用法筆記

The object must be something that has layers of meaning — an idea, argument, theory, or body of information. Not used with physical objects in this sense.

常見錯誤

The teacher unpacked her bag of ideas for the class.
The teacher unpacked her ideas for the class.
💡In the analytical sense, the object must be abstract; adding a physical container like 'bag' creates confusion with sense 1.