untangle

/ˌʌnˈtæŋɡl/ (bre, ipa) · [əntˈæŋɡəl] /ˌʌnˈtæŋɡl/ (ame, ipa) · [əntˈæŋɡəl] /ˌən-ˈtaŋ-gəl How to pronounce untangle (audio)/ (ame, mw)

untangle — verb

  • untanglepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • untangleshe / she / it
  • untangledpast simple
  • untangling-ing form

1. to gently separate the threads, hairs, wires, or fibres of something that is twi

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to gently separate the threads, hairs, wires, or fibres of something that is twisted or knotted, so that each one lies free and straight again

例句

Mira spent an hour trying to untangle the knot in her necklace chain.

untangle + knot — specific object pattern

The hairdresser used a wide-tooth comb to untangle Aylin's curly hair after the beach.

同義詞
  • unravel

    focuses on threads or fibres coming apart, often gradually

  • undo

    more general; can apply to buttons, knots, or any fastened thing

  • loosen

    suggests making something less tight rather than fully separating it

  • disentangle

    more formal; also works for both physical and abstract senses

反義詞
  • tangle

    to twist things together into a messy mass

  • knot

    to tie a specific tight fastening

  • snarl

    to tangle hair, thread, or similar into a disorderly state

文法句型

untangle + direct object (hair / cord / wire / string)

用法筆記

Frequently used with concrete objects such as hair, cords, wires, string, or fishing line. Common in grooming and household instructions. The action is typically done by hand or with a simple tool like a comb.

常見錯誤

❌She untangled her hair after brushing it.
✅She untangled her hair before brushing it.
💡brushing first would make the knots worse; untangling removes knots first, then brushing smooths the hair.
❌I untangled the knot by cutting it with scissors.
✅I untangled the knot by pulling the loops apart carefully.
💡cutting destroys the object; untangling means separating without cutting.

2. to take a confusing problem, situation, or argument and sort out the different p

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to take a confusing problem, situation, or argument and sort out the different parts so that the whole thing becomes easier to understand or manage

例句

Beatriz hired an accountant to help untangle the tax problems her family business faced.

untangle + [abstract problem] — figurative usage

The detective slowly untangled the web of lies surrounding the missing painting.

collocation: untangle a web of [lies / deceit]

同義詞
  • resolve

    stronger emphasis on finding a solution or ending a problem

  • clarify

    focuses on making the meaning clear rather than separating parts

  • unravel

    suggests a gradual, piece-by-piece process of discovery

  • decipher

    implies decoding something obscure like handwriting or a code

反義詞
  • complicate

    to make a situation more difficult or confusing

  • confuse

    to make something unclear or harder to follow

  • entangle

    to involve someone in a difficult situation they cannot easily escape

文法句型

untangle + abstract noun (problem / mystery / dispute / situation)

用法筆記

Object is always an abstract noun or noun phrase denoting confusion or difficulty, such as problem, mystery, dispute, conflict, or situation. Subject is typically a person or group engaged in analysis or mediation. This sense is never used with concrete objects like hair or string.

常見錯誤

❌We need to untangle the total cost of the project.
✅We need to untangle the confusing cost structure of the project.
💡there must be confusion or complexity; simple totals don't need untangling.
❌The teacher untangled the student's math question.
✅The teacher untangled the student's confusing explanation of the math problem.
💡the object should be the messy situation, not a simple question.