unthread
/ˌən-ˈthred/ (ame, mw)
unthread — verb
- unthreadpresent simple I / you / we / they
- unthreads3rd person singular
- unthreading-ing form
- unthreadedpast simple
1. to pull a piece of thread, string, or cord back out of a needle, a hole, or a pi
to pull a piece of thread, string, or cord back out of a needle, a hole, or a piece of fabric that it was passed through
Aylin unthreaded the needle after finishing the last stitch on the dress.
Paul carefully unthreaded the cotton from the eye of the sewing machine.
unthread + [material] + from + [place]
Mateo showed his younger brother how to unthread a shoelace without tangling it.
The tailor unthreaded the loose strand before starting the repair work.
Felix watched his grandmother unthread the embroidery hoop with quick, practised fingers.
- thread
to pass thread through the eye of a needle or a hole
文法句型
unthread + [needle/sewing machine/fabric]
常見錯誤
2. to take apart or loosen the links, bonds, or relationships that hold a complex s
to take apart or loosen the links, bonds, or relationships that hold a complex situation, system, or set of ideas together
Padma worked for a year to unthread the legal ties binding her to the company.
unthread + [abstract ties/connections]
The investigator slowly unthreaded the web of false identities the suspect had built.
Camille tried to unthread her emotions from the painful memories of that year.
The software engineer had to unthread layers of old code before adding the new feature.
Madison needed time to unthread herself from the group's complicated social drama.
- unravel
suggests something coming apart naturally or gradually, like a knitted garment
- disentangle
emphasises freeing something from knots, confusion, or a literal tangle
- unpick
suggests careful, methodical separation, often stitch by stitch
文法句型
unthread + [abstract ties/connections/web]
用法筆記
Object is usually abstract — ties, bonds, connections, relationships, or systems. Frequently used with 'from' to specify what the subject is separating from.
常見錯誤
3. to move carefully and often slowly through a crowded, narrow, or complicated spa
to move carefully and often slowly through a crowded, narrow, or complicated space, retracing or picking out a path as you go
Indra spent ten minutes unthreading his way through the packed hallway to reach class.
unthread one's way through + [crowded place]
The paramedics unthreaded a path through the wreckage to find the injured driver.
Adisa unthreaded herself through the dense crowd at the railway station.
We slowly unthreaded our way through the narrow alleys of the old city.
Faisal had to unthread his bicycle through the line of parked cars on the street.
- navigate
neutral; used for any kind of route-finding, literal or figurative
- weave
suggests skilful, side-to-side movement through obstacles
- pick one's way
emphasises careful, step-by-step progress over difficult ground
文法句型
unthread + one's way + through + [crowded/complex place]
用法筆記
Nearly always takes 'one's way' (or the object being guided) followed by the preposition 'through'. Distinguish from sense 1: here the path, not a literal thread, is being navigated.