uncouple
/'ʌn'kʌpt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To disconnect or separate two things that are linked or joined together: This is the primary meaning, referring to the physical act of disconnecting coupled items.
- To release from a coupling or connection: Specifically used for things designed to be joined, like train cars or animals in a pair.
Usage and Examples
- Verb:
- The engineer had to uncouple the damaged freight car from the rest of the train.
- Before cleaning, remember to uncouple the hose from the faucet.
- The handler uncoupled the dogs so they could run freely.
Advanced Usage
- Technical/Mechanical Context: Often used in engineering, rail transport, and mechanics.
- The system allows you to quickly uncouple the modules for independent testing.
- Figurative Use (less common): Can describe separating linked ideas, forces, or factors.
- The study attempts to uncouple the effects of diet from those of exercise.
Variants and Related Words
- Uncoupled (adj): Describes something that has been disconnected or is no longer joined.
- The uncoupled trailer stood by the side of the road.
- Couple (v): The antonym, meaning to join or connect two things together.
- Decouple (v): A close synonym, often used in technical and figurative contexts to mean disconnecting or separating, especially to remove an interaction or relationship.
Synonyms
- Disconnect
- Detach
- Unhook
- Separate
- Unlink
Antonyms
- Couple
- Connect
- Attach
- Link
- Hitch
Related Phrasal Verbs/Compounds
- Uncouple from: To separate or disconnect from something.
- The country sought to uncouple its economy from the volatile global market.
Verb
- disconnect or separate
- uncouple the hounds