unstarch
Definition
- Verb:
- To remove starch from: "unstarch" means to remove the stiffening agent (starch) from fabric, typically during laundry, making it softer and less rigid.
- Figuratively, to make less formal or stiff: "unstarch" can also mean to make someone or something less rigid, formal, or constrained in manner or behavior.
Usage Examples
- Literal:
- After washing the shirt, she used a special solution to unstarch the collar. (She removed the starch to soften the collar.)
- Figurative:
- The comedian’s jokes helped unstarch the formal atmosphere of the dinner party. (The jokes made the stiff, formal mood more relaxed.)
Advanced Usage
- "to unstarch one's demeanor": to adopt a more relaxed, informal attitude.
- The manager decided to unstarch his demeanor during team meetings to encourage open discussion. (He became less formal and rigid.)
Variants and Related Words
- Unstarched (adj): having had starch removed; also, figuratively, informal or relaxed.
- She preferred an unstarched collar for casual wear. (A collar without starch.)
- His unstarched attitude made him popular at the party. (His relaxed, informal manner.)
Synonyms
- Soften: to make less stiff or rigid (literal or figurative).
- Relax: to make less tense or formal (figurative).
- Loosen up: to become less stiff or formal (informal, figurative).
Related Idioms
- Take the starch out of: to reduce someone’s pride, formality, or stiffness.
- The embarrassing incident took the starch out of him. (It made him less proud or stiff.)