unbung

A worker unbungs the barrel to pour the wine.

Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To remove a stopper or bung from: "unbung" means to take out the cork, plug, or bung that seals a container, especially a barrel or cask.

Usage Examples

• (He removed the bung from the barrel.)
• (The barrel maker removed the stopper to inspect the contents.)
• (Take out the stopper from the jug.)

Advanced Usage

• "to unbung a cask": a specific phrase used in brewing or cooperage (barrel-making).
  • The brewer instructed his apprentice to unbung the cask after fermentation. (The apprentice removed the bung from the fermented beer barrel.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bung (noun): a stopper, typically made of cork or rubber, used to seal a hole in a barrel or cask.
  • The bung was tight, so he used a mallet to loosen it. (The stopper was difficult to remove.)
• Bung (verb): to close or seal with a bung.
  • He bunged the barrel securely before storage. (He sealed the barrel with a bung.)
• Unbunged (adjective): having the bung removed.
  • The unbunged barrel leaked slightly. (The barrel with the bung removed.)

Synonyms

• Uncork: to remove a cork from a bottle or container.
  • She uncorked the champagne bottle. (She removed the cork.)
• Unplug: to remove a plug from an opening.
  • He unplugged the drain to let the water flow. (He took out the plug.)
• Open: to cause to become open or unsealed.
  • Open the barrel by removing its lid. (Make the barrel accessible.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Unbung up: (rare) to remove a bung that is stuck or tightly fitted.
  • He had to unbung up the old cask with a special tool. (He removed the stuck bung.)

Related Idioms