unchain
/'ʌn'tʃein/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To free from restraint or confinement: To release something or someone that has been physically bound, chained, or held captive.
- To remove chains or shackles from: To literally take off chains, locks, or other physical restraints.
Usage and Examples
Literal (Physical Release):
- The warden decided to unchain the prisoner for his court appearance.
- Please unchain the bicycle from the post so we can leave.
Figurative (Metaphorical Release):
- The new software will unchain the creative potential of our designers.
- The policy reform aims to unchain the economy from outdated regulations.
Advanced Usage
- "Unchain one's heart": To free oneself from emotional bonds or restrictions.
- After years of grief, she finally felt ready to unchain her heart and love again.
Variants and Related Words
- Chain (verb): The opposite action; to fasten or secure with a chain.
- He had to chain the gate to keep it shut.
- Unchained (adjective): Describing a state of being free from chains or restraints.
- The unchained dog ran joyfully through the park.
- Enchain (verb, less common): To bind with chains; to restrain.
Synonyms
- Liberate: To set free, especially from oppression or imprisonment.
- Unshackle: To remove shackles or fetters; to free from restraints.
- Release: To allow or enable to escape from confinement; to set free.
- Loose: To set free; to release from bonds.
Antonyms
- Chain: To fasten or confine with a chain.
- Shackle: To restrain with chains or manacles.
- Restrain: To prevent from doing something; to keep under control.
- Bind: To tie or fasten tightly.
Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations
- Unchain from: To release or detach something from a specific point or object.
- We need to unchain the boat from the dock.
- Unchain oneself: To free oneself, either physically or metaphorically.
- He struggled to unchain himself from the heavy expectations of his family.
Verb
- make free
- remove the chains from