unscrew

/' n'skru:/

Thân thiện

He unscrews the cap from the water bottle.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To loosen or remove by turning: To unfasten or detach something, typically a screw, bolt, or lid, by rotating it in the opposite direction to how it was fastened.
   • To become loosened by turning: To be capable of being loosened or removed through a turning action.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive Verb (with an object):

  • You need to unscrew the lid to open the jar.
  • The plumber will unscrew the old pipe to replace it.
  • Please unscrew the four bolts holding the panel in place.

• Intransitive Verb (without an object):

  • The cap unscrews easily.
  • This type of lightbulb unscrews counterclockwise.

Advanced Usage

• "to unscrew oneself from a situation" (figurative, informal): To extricate or disentangle oneself from a difficult or complicated circumstance.
  • After the scandal, he tried to unscrew himself from the controversy.

Variants and Related Words

• Unscrewed (adj): Describing something that has been loosened or removed by turning.

  • The unscrewed lid lay on the table.

• Unscrewing (gerund/noun): The act of loosening by turning.

  • The unscrewing of the valve must be done carefully.

Synonyms

• Loosen: To make less tight.
• Unfasten: To open or release a fastening.
• Unbolt: To open or detach by removing a bolt.

Antonyms

• Screw: To fasten or tighten by turning.
• Tighten: To make more firm or secure.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Unscrew from: To detach something by turning it away from its fixture.
  • You must unscrew the handle from the door.

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning of unscrew is the physical action of reversing a rotational fastening. Its primary use is literal, relating to mechanical parts, caps, and lids. The figurative use is rare and considered informal.

Học thuật

Verb

1. loosen by turning
   • unscrew the bottle cap
2. loosen something by unscrewing it
   • unscrew the outlet plate