unravel

unravel — verb

1. When threads, knitted fabric, or twisted fibres separate into individual loose s

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

When threads, knitted fabric, or twisted fibres separate into individual loose strands — happening either by itself or because someone deliberately pulls them apart.

例句

The old jumper began to unravel at the elbow after years of wear.

intransitive: clothing unravelling on its own

Hiro carefully unravelled the tangled fishing line so he could use it again.

transitive: someone deliberately unravelling something

同義詞
  • disentangle

    more deliberate and careful; often used for hair or threads that are tightly twisted

  • undo

    broader meaning; applies to buttons, zippers, and stitches as well as knitted items

  • untangle

    focuses on separating twisted items; less specific to knitting or weaving

反義詞
  • knit

    the opposite action — joining threads together to create fabric

  • weave

    interlacing threads to form cloth

  • tangle

    to twist threads into a messy, knotted state

文法句型

unravel + noun (transitive)

noun + unravel (intransitive)

用法筆記

Frequently used either transitively (someone unravels something) or intransitively (something unravels by itself). In knitting contexts, unravelling is often deliberate — done to reuse the yarn.

常見錯誤

❌The string unravelled off the package.
✅The string unravelled from the package.
💡use 'from' not 'off' when describing separation.
❌I unravelled the knot on my shoelace.
✅I untied the knot on my shoelace.
💡'unravel' describes threads separating, not loosening a bow or simple knot.

2. To investigate and figure out the truth or meaning of something that was puzzlin

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

To investigate and figure out the truth or meaning of something that was puzzling, secret, or hard to understand — for example, solving a crime, interpreting an old text, or discovering why something happened.

例句

The young detective unravelled the mystery after finding a hidden letter.

collocation: unravel a mystery

Scientists are working hard to unravel the causes of the rare disease.

collocation: unravel the causes (of a problem)

同義詞
  • solve

    more final and complete; implies finding a definite answer

  • decipher

    specifically about decoding symbols, writing, or codes

  • clarify

    less dramatic; simply makes something easier to understand without implying full resolution

反義詞
  • complicate

    to make something harder to understand than it already is

  • confuse

    to cause someone to lose clarity about a subject

  • obscure

    to hide or cover up the truth

文法句型

unravel + noun (mystery, truth, cause)

用法筆記

Almost always transitive. Common in crime, science, and historical research contexts. Typical objects include 'mystery', 'truth', 'secret', 'cause', 'case', 'meaning'.

常見錯誤

❌He unravelled the knot of the problem.
✅He unravelled the complex problem.
💡avoid mixing the literal thread image with this figurative sense; use abstract objects directly.
❌The truth finally unravelled itself.
✅The truth finally came to light.
💡this sense is transitive; use 'came to light' or 'was revealed' for intransitive revelation.

3. When something built up gradually over time — such as a peace process, a busines

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

When something built up gradually over time — such as a peace process, a business deal, a political alliance, or an economic system — gradually falls apart and stops working.

例句

The peace agreement began to unravel soon after the leader resigned.

collocation: agreement begins to unravel

Élise watched her carefully laid business plans unravel in just one week.

同義詞
  • collapse

    more sudden and complete; implies a total failure rather than a gradual one

  • crumble

    suggests something falling apart bit by bit, often from weak foundations

  • fall apart

    informal alternative; can describe any kind of failure from small to catastrophic

反義詞
  • consolidate

    to make something stronger and more stable

  • strengthen

    to make a system or relationship more secure

  • build

    to create or develop something gradually over time

文法句型

noun (plan / agreement / system) + unravel

用法筆記

Intransitive only — the subject is the thing that falls apart, not the agent causing it. Common subjects: 'agreement', 'plan', 'alliance', 'system', 'partnership', 'reform'. Often used with 'begin to' or 'start to'.

常見錯誤

❌The manager unravelled the project.
✅The project unravelled when the manager left.
💡this sense is intransitive; the thing falls apart on its own or due to circumstances, not because someone actively destroys it.
❌Their marriage unravelled overnight.
✅Their marriage unravelled slowly over many months.
💡unravelling in this sense is usually gradual, not sudden.

4. When a person loses their emotional or mental stability, or when the normal stru

4.動詞不及物C1
釋義

When a person loses their emotional or mental stability, or when the normal structures of their everyday life gradually break down due to stress, grief, or misfortune.

例句

After losing his job and his home, Owen felt his whole life begin to unravel.

collocation: life begins to unravel

The therapist helped Tariro when her sense of stability started to unravel.

同義詞
  • break down

    more general; can describe machines, systems, or emotional health

  • fall apart

    informal; emphasises a complete loss of order

  • collapse

    suggests a sudden and total failure of emotional or mental health

反義詞

文法句型

noun (life / world / confidence) + unravel

begin / start to unravel

用法筆記

Intransitive only. The subject is usually an abstraction related to the person: 'life', 'world', 'confidence', 'mind', 'sense of stability'. Often appears in therapeutic or literary contexts describing mental health decline.

常見錯誤

❌He unravelled after the accident.
✅His life unravelled after the accident.
💡the person themselves does not unravel; their life, world, or emotional state does.
❌Her mind unravelled suddenly.
✅Her mind began to unravel over several months.
💡the unravelling is usually gradual, not instant.