unlock
/ˌʌnˈlɒk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnˈlɑːk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈläk/ (ame, mw)
unlock — 動詞
- unlockpresent simple I / you / we / they
- unlockshe / she / it
- unlockedpast simple
- unlocking-ing form
1. to release the lock of something such as a door, gate, or box so that it can be
開鎖
用鑰匙或密碼打開鎖
to release the lock of something such as a door, gate, or box so that it can be opened, typically with a key or by typing a code.
Jabari unlocked the front door with his key and stepped inside.
Jabari 用鑰匙打開前門的鎖，走了進去。
unlock + door with a key
The security guard unlocked the gate at exactly eight o'clock.
警衛在八點整打開了大門的鎖。
passive agent: security guard + unlock + gate
Hari unlocked his bicycle lock and rode off to meet his friends.
Hari 打開腳踏車鎖，騎車去找朋友。
Could you unlock this drawer for me? I lost the key somewhere.
可以幫我打開這個抽屜的鎖嗎？我的鑰匙不見了。
Quinn unlocked the safe using the code the manager had given her.
Quinn 用經理給她的密碼打開了保險箱。
- lock
to fasten something with a lock
文法句型
unlock + noun phrase
用法筆記
Usually takes a direct object referring to the locked item (door, gate, box, etc.). The instrument (key, code) is introduced by with or using.
常見錯誤
2. to provide a passcode, pattern, or biometric scan on a phone or tablet so that t
解鎖
輸入密碼啟用手機螢幕
to provide a passcode, pattern, or biometric scan on a phone or tablet so that the screen turns on and the device becomes ready for use.
Élise unlocked her phone by pressing her thumb on the screen.
Élise 把拇指按在螢幕上，解鎖了她的手機。
unlock + phone + by + method
The screen stays dark until you unlock it with a password.
螢幕會一直暗著，直到你輸入密碼解鎖。
passive: unlock + with a password
Ramón unlocked his tablet to check the train schedule.
Ramón 解鎖了平板電腦，查看火車時刻表。
Yumi set a new code and now unlocks her phone much faster.
Yumi 設了新密碼，現在解鎖手機快多了。
- log into
broader; refers to accessing an account, not just the screen
- lock
to put the device into a locked screen state
文法句型
unlock + phone / device
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person; the object is the phone, tablet, or screen. Frequently used with by + method (fingerprint, face, code) or with + tool.
常見錯誤
3. to remove the software restriction on a mobile phone so that it can work with an
解綁
解除電信網路限制
to remove the software restriction on a mobile phone so that it can work with any phone company's network instead of only the one it was originally sold for.
The phone company unlocked Pim's phone so he could switch to a cheaper plan.
電信公司解除了 Pim 手機的網路限制，讓他改用較便宜的方案。
unlock + phone + for switching network
Rania asked the shop to unlock her phone before her trip to Japan.
Rania 請店家幫她解除手機的網路鎖，方便去日本時使用。
Some mobile networks will not unlock a device until the contract ends.
有些電信業者在合約結束前，不會解除手機的網路限制。
After paying off the phone, Ilan had it unlocked for international use.
Ilan 繳清手機費用後，請人解除了網路限制以便出國使用。
- unblock
sometimes used interchangeably but less precise for network unlocking
文法句型
unlock + phone / device + for + network
用法筆記
Subject is usually a phone company, shop, or technician. The phone is the object. Common in discussions about phone contracts and international travel.
4. to find and reveal facts about something that were previously hidden or unknown
揭露
發現並公開隱藏資訊
to find and reveal facts about something that were previously hidden or unknown — for example, a scientist who cracks the code of an ancient language.
The research team unlocked the secrets of an ancient writing system.
研究團隊解開了一種古老文字系統的秘密。
unlock + the secrets of + something
A team of geologists unlocked new information about how mountains form.
一組地質學家揭露了關於山脈形成的新資訊。
New DNA technology helped the detective unlock the truth behind the case.
新的 DNA 技術幫助偵探揭開了案件的真相。
These old letters could unlock the mystery of what happened to the ship.
這些舊信件可能解開那艘船遭遇的謎團。
- conceal
to keep something hidden on purpose
文法句型
unlock + the secrets / truth / mystery + of + something
用法筆記
The object is usually an abstract noun: secrets, mystery, truth, information. Often used in academic, investigative, or journalistic contexts.
5. to make something, such as a skill, resource, or opportunity, become available a
釋放
讓潛力或資源充分發揮
to make something, such as a skill, resource, or opportunity, become available and usable when it was previously not being used enough or to its full extent.
The training course helped Christopher unlock his full potential as a musician.
這門訓練課程幫助 Christopher 釋放了他作為音樂家的全部潛力。
unlock + potential + as a [role]
Proper funding can unlock the economic power of rural communities.
充足的資金可以釋放鄉村社區的經濟力量。
This new software unlocks features that were previously hidden from users.
這套新軟體釋放了之前對使用者隱藏的功能。
María believes that education can unlock opportunities for young people.
María 相信教育能為年輕人開啟機會之門。
- stifle
to prevent something from developing or being used
文法句型
unlock + potential / value / power + of + something
用法筆記
Subject is often an abstract noun (training, education, investment) or a tool (software, policy). Object is typically an abstract noun like potential, power, value, or opportunity.
6. to make hidden content in a video game, such as a new level, character, or piece
開啟
透過挑戰取得遊戲內容
to make hidden content in a video game, such as a new level, character, or piece of equipment, become available to the player, usually after reaching a goal or finishing a challenge.
Players unlock a new racing track after winning the first five races.
玩家贏得前五場比賽後，就能開啟新的賽道。
unlock + a new [item] + after + [condition]
Quinn unlocked a secret level by finding all the hidden coins.
Quinn 找到了所有隱藏金幣，開啟了一個祕密關卡。
You can unlock special weapons by defeating the final boss.
打敗最終頭目後，你就可以解鎖特殊武器。
Nicholas spent hours trying to unlock all the achievements in the game.
Nicholas 花了好幾個小時，想解鎖遊戲中的所有成就。
文法句型
unlock + level / feature / item / achievement
用法筆記
Common in informal contexts, especially gaming forums and reviews. The object is the reward (level, item, achievement). The condition is introduced by after, by, or once.
7. to free a person's imagination so that it starts producing original ideas and vi
激發
讓想像力變活躍有創意
to free a person's imagination so that it starts producing original ideas and vivid pictures in the mind.
Travel can unlock the imagination in ways that no book can.
旅行能夠以書籍無法做到的方式，激發人們的想像力。
can unlock + the imagination
The art teacher's class unlocked Asher's imagination and he began to paint every day.
美術課激發了 Asher 的想像力，他開始每天畫畫。
A good story unlocks the imagination and lets you see the world differently.
一個好故事能激發想像力，讓你用不同的眼光看世界。
Music has a way of unlocking the imagination and bringing back old memories.
音樂有一種激發想像力的力量，也能喚起過往的回憶。
- inhibit
to hold back or restrict creative thinking
文法句型
unlock + the / someone's + imagination
用法筆記
The direct object is almost always imagination, creativity, or mind. Subject is typically an experience (travel, art, music, reading) that inspires creative thinking.