unlocking

/ʌnˈlɒk/ (bre, ipa) · [ənlˈɑkɪŋ] /ʌnˈlɑːk/ (ame, ipa)

unlocking — 動詞

  • unlockingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unlockings3rd person singular
  • unlockinging-ing form
  • unlockingedpast simple

1. to release the lock on a door, gate, or container so it can be opened, usually b

1.動詞及物A2
釋義

開鎖

用鑰匙或密碼打開門鎖

to release the lock on a door, gate, or container so it can be opened, usually by using a metal key or tapping a code on a keypad

例句

Kofi unlocked the front door with his key and stepped into the warm kitchen.

Kofi 用鑰匙打開了大門，走進溫暖的廚房。

unlock + door with a key

Nadia entered the code to unlock the locker near the swimming pool.

Nadia 輸入密碼，打開了游泳池旁的寄物櫃。

enter a code to unlock a locker

同義詞
  • open

    more general; 'open' does not specify that a lock was released

  • unlatch

    specifically about releasing a latch, not a key lock; less common

  • unbolt

    specifically about sliding a bolt back; used for heavy doors and gates

反義詞
  • lock

    the direct opposite action

  • fasten

    general opposite; not limited to locks

文法句型

unlock + noun phrase (door, gate, locker, safe)

用法筆記

The object is usually a door, gate, locker, or container that has a physical or electronic lock. This sense does not apply to phones or software.

常見錯誤

❌She unlocked the box with a screwdriver.' (if she broke it open).
✅She unlocked the box with the correct key.
💡'unlock' requires the lock mechanism to open properly, not forced entry.
❌I unlocked the car door with my fingerprint.
✅I unlocked my phone with my fingerprint.
💡cars usually use 'key fob' or 'remote'; 'unlock' with biometrics is primarily for phones and tablets.

2. to type a security code, trace a pattern, or scan your fingerprint on a phone or

2.動詞及物A2
釋義

解鎖

輸入密碼以使用手機

to type a security code, trace a pattern, or scan your fingerprint on a phone or tablet so the screen wakes up and you can start using it

例句

Anna glanced at her phone and unlocked it to check the morning weather forecast.

Anna 看了一眼手機，解鎖後查看早上天氣預報。

unlock a phone to check something

Jin held up his phone, unlocked the screen, and showed everyone the holiday photos.

Jin 拿起手機，解鎖畫面後給大家看度假照片。

同義詞
  • activate

    broader; can mean turning on any device, not just screen-unlocking

反義詞
  • lock

    the screen-lock function

文法句型

unlock + pronoun (phone, screen, device)

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person. The object is the phone or its screen. Frequently used with methods such as 'with a password', 'with a fingerprint', or 'by face recognition'.

常見錯誤

❌I unlocked my computer.' (for logging in).
✅I logged into my computer.
💡'unlock' is for the screen-lock of portable devices; desktop login is 'log in' or 'sign in'.

3. to remove the software restriction that stops a mobile phone from being used wit

3.動詞及物B1
釋義

解網路鎖

解除手機的電信業者綁定

to remove the software restriction that stops a mobile phone from being used with a different company's SIM card, allowing it to work on any network

例句

Andrés had his phone unlocked to switch to a cheaper network provider.

Andrés 解鎖了手機，轉到比較便宜的行業者。

have + object + unlocked (causative passive)

Before flying to Kenya, Eve asked the shop to unlock her phone for a local SIM card.

Eve 在去肯亞之前請店家解鎖她的手機，以便使用當地 SIM 卡。

同義詞
  • unblock

    sometimes used interchangeably in this context, but less precise

反義詞
  • lock

    a phone can be carrier-locked to one network

文法句型

unlock + noun phrase (phone, device, iPhone, model)

用法筆記

The object must be a mobile phone or mobile device. This sense describes changing the carrier restriction, not unlocking the screen. Distinguish from sense 2 (unlocking the screen with a password).

常見錯誤

❌I unlocked my phone to make a call.' (meaning screen unlock).
✅I unlocked my phone so it could accept any SIM card.
💡use sense 2 wording for screen unlock and sense 3 wording for network freedom.

4. to find concealed or little-known facts and share them with others, leading to n

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

揭露；破解

發現並公開隱藏的資訊

to find concealed or little-known facts and share them with others, leading to new insights and awareness

例句

The historian's research unlocked surprising facts about the daily lives of medieval farmers.

那位歷史學者的研究揭露了關於中世紀農民日常生活的驚人事實。

research + unlock + facts about [topic]

New DNA technology helped scientists unlock the origins of a rare childhood disease.

新的 DNA 技術幫助科學家破解了一種罕見兒童疾病的起源。

同義詞
  • reveal

    more direct; 'unlock' suggests something was hidden or sealed

  • uncover

    very similar in meaning; 'uncover' can also mean physically removing a cover

  • decipher

    specifically about decoding something written or coded

反義詞

文法句型

unlock + noun phrase (secrets, mysteries, facts, truth)

用法筆記

The object is typically an abstract noun such as 'secrets', 'mysteries', 'truth', or 'facts'. Frequently used in academic, scientific, or journalistic contexts.

5. to make something valuable or useful available for use, when previously it was n

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

釋放；開啟

使原先未充分利用的事物發揮價值

to make something valuable or useful available for use, when previously it was not being used well or at all

例句

The new trade agreement unlocked the country's economic potential after years of stagnation.

新的貿易協定在多年停滯後，釋放了該國的經濟潛力。

unlock + economic / creative / human potential

Eitan's coaching programme unlocked talents in young athletes that no one had noticed before.

Eitan 的訓練課程發掘了年輕運動員們從未被注意到的天賦。

同義詞
  • release

    more direct; 'release' can also mean letting something go physically

  • unleash

    stronger and more dramatic; suggests a sudden powerful release

  • tap into

    phrasal verb; suggests accessing a resource that was already there

反義詞
  • stifle

    to prevent something from developing or being used

  • suppress

    to hold back or keep down

文法句型

unlock + noun phrase (potential, value, creativity, resources)

用法筆記

Subject is often an abstract thing such as a policy, programme, investment, or agreement. Object is typically an abstract noun like 'potential', 'value', 'creativity', 'talent', or 'resources'.

常見錯誤

❌The key unlocked the door to success.' (mixed metaphor).
✅The new policy unlocked the country's economic potential.
💡avoid mixing the physical and the figurative in the same metaphor.

6. to gain access to new content inside a video game, such as levels, characters, o

6.動詞及物B1
釋義

解鎖關卡

在遊戲中成功取得新功能

to gain access to new content inside a video game, such as levels, characters, or abilities, by completing a task or reaching a goal

例句

After defeating the dragon, Jin unlocked a secret level with rare weapons and treasures.

打敗巨龍之後，Jin 解鎖了一個藏有稀有武器和寶物的祕密關卡。

unlock + secret level / bonus stage

Players unlock new costumes by winning each race in under two minutes.

玩家只要在兩分鐘內贏得每場比賽，就能解鎖角色的新服裝。

同義詞
  • earn

    focuses on the effort required; 'unlock' focuses on the access granted

  • gain access to

    formal and longer; less common in gaming contexts

  • unblock

    less common in gaming; more common for websites and accounts

文法句型

unlock + noun phrase (level, character, weapon, achievement, feature)

用法筆記

Subject is usually a player. The object is in-game content (level, character, weapon, achievement, costume, trophy). Common in game reviews, tutorials, and player discussions.

7. to make someone's imagination or mind more active and creative, producing new id

7.動詞及物B2
釋義

啟發；激發

使想像力變得活躍並產出新想法

to make someone's imagination or mind more active and creative, producing new ideas and images

例句

Listening to live jazz music unlocked Henrik's imagination and inspired him to write poetry.

聆聽現場爵士樂啟發了 Henrik 的想像力，促使他提筆寫詩。

unlock + imagination / creativity / mind

The teacher's hands-on art project unlocked the children's imaginations in ways no textbook could.

老師的手作美術課激發了孩子們的想像力，這是任何教科書都做不到的。

同義詞
  • stimulate

    less poetic; suggests encouraging activity rather than freeing

  • ignite

    stronger and more dramatic; suggests a sudden start

  • spark

    suggests a small trigger that produces a large result

反義詞
  • stifle

    to prevent creativity from developing

  • dampen

    to reduce enthusiasm or creative energy

文法句型

unlock + noun phrase (imagination, creativity, mind)

用法筆記

Subject is typically an experience, art, music, or literature. Object is almost always 'imagination', 'creativity', or 'the mind'. This sense is positive and suggests a freeing of creative thinking.

常見錯誤

❌The puzzle unlocked my brain.' (too informal/slang).
✅The creative exercise unlocked my imagination.
💡the object should normally be 'imagination' or 'creativity', not 'brain'.

8. to come open on its own or get free from a locked state, without someone activel

8.動詞不及物B1
釋義

鬆開；脫開

自行打開或掙脫束縛

to come open on its own or get free from a locked state, without someone actively releasing the lock

例句

The old suitcase unlocked by itself when Henrik dropped it onto the hard floor.

Henrik 把舊行李箱摔到硬地板上時，行李箱自己鬆開了。

inanimate subject + unlock (intransitive)

The back door of the van unlocked during the bumpy ride and swung wide open.

貨車的後門在顛簸的路程中脫開，朝外大大敞開。

同義詞
  • come open

    more general; does not specifically refer to a lock

  • come undone

    general; describes fasteners coming loose

  • give way

    suggests a lock breaking under pressure

反義詞
  • lock

    intransitive — 'the door locked automatically'

文法句型

noun phrase + unlock(s) (no object)

用法筆記

No direct object. The subject is the thing that becomes unfastened. This sense describes an event rather than a deliberate action. Frequently used with 'by itself' or 'on its own' to emphasise that no person caused it.