unwind
/ˌʌnˈwaɪnd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnˈwaɪnd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈwīnd/ (ame, mw)
unwind — verb
- unwindpresent simple I / you / we / they
- unwindshe / she / it
- unwoundpast simple
- unwinding-ing form
1. to make something that is twisted or wrapped around something else become straig
to make something that is twisted or wrapped around something else become straight or loose; or to become straight or loose by itself after being twisted or wrapped.
Eshe carefully unwound the bandage from her sprained wrist and laid it flat on the table.
transitive: unwind [object] from [place]
The old garden hose slowly unwound as Hyun pulled it across the lawn toward the flower bed.
intransitive: object + unwinds
A sudden jerk from the dog caused the leash to unwind from Aarav's hand as he unlocked the front door.
The wool had tangled badly, and Beatriz spent an hour trying to unwind it without breaking the thread.
文法句型
unwind + object (a rope, bandage, scarf)
object + unwinds
用法筆記
Common in physical descriptions. The object is usually something long and flexible that has been wound or coiled — rope, wire, bandage, scarf, or hair.
常見錯誤
2. to free yourself from worry and daily pressures so that your mind and body can r
to free yourself from worry and daily pressures so that your mind and body can rest.
After a long day at the hospital, Quinn likes to unwind by taking a slow walk through the park.
unwind + by + [gerund]
Élise found it hard to unwind after the meeting because her phone kept ringing with new questions.
unwind after [noun]
The accountant told his clients that a fifteen-minute break helps everyone unwind and focus better.
Marco unwinds every evening by playing the piano for about half an hour before dinner.
- tense up
to become physically or mentally tight with worry
- stress out
informal; to become overwhelmed by pressure
文法句型
unwind + after/before + [activity]
unwind + by + [gerund]
用法筆記
Almost always intransitive in this sense. Used commonly in advice and self-care contexts. Frequently paired with 'after' (a period of work or stress) or 'by' (an activity).
常見錯誤
3. to go through the required processes, often with lawyers or banks, to bring a bu
to go through the required processes, often with lawyers or banks, to bring a business agreement or an investment to a full close.
The company decided to unwind its partnership with the foreign supplier after the trade dispute began.
transitive: unwind + [business arrangement]
Christopher hired a lawyer to help him unwind the complex investment contract he had signed two years ago.
The bank is slowly unwinding its holdings in the mining sector as part of a new environmental policy.
The unwinding of Shirin's family trust took eight months and required approval from three different government agencies.
- enter into
to begin or sign a financial agreement
文法句型
unwind + [financial arrangement]
用法筆記
Restricted to formal finance and legal contexts. The object is typically a financial instrument, contract, partnership, or market position.
常見錯誤
4. if a story, situation, or series of events unwinds, it gradually develops and re
if a story, situation, or series of events unwinds, it gradually develops and reaches a natural end.
The novel's plot unwinds slowly, revealing a hidden family secret in the final chapter.
plot/story + unwinds
Ritu watched the drama unwind between the two families over the course of that long summer.
As the committee meeting unwound, it became clear that no easy solution would be found.
The story of how the two sisters met again after forty years unwinds through a series of old letters.
文法句型
story/event + unwinds
how + [situation] + unwinds
用法筆記
Used in literary or narrative contexts. The subject is typically a story, plot, scene, or developing situation. Rare in everyday speech. More common in British English than American.
常見錯誤
5. to examine a complicated situation, problem, or set of ideas and make it clearer
to examine a complicated situation, problem, or set of ideas and make it clearer or easier to understand.
The detective spent weeks trying to unwind the confusing timeline of events from the night of the robbery.
transitive: unwind + [complex situation]
Darius had to unwind the various legal claims before the court could make a fair decision.
The teacher helped the students unwind the main arguments of the long and difficult article.
The lawyer spent the morning unwinding the confusing clauses in the rental agreement for her client.
- complicate
to make something more difficult to understand
文法句型
unwind + [complex situation or problem]
用法筆記
Overlaps with sense 1 when applied to abstract problems, but the object here is always intangible — a puzzle, argument, mystery, or set of rules. Often interchangeable with 'untangle' in this metaphorical use.