unstopper

He unstopper the glass bottle to pour the wine.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To remove a stopper from: "unstopper" means to take out a stopper (a plug or cork) from a container, typically a bottle or flask, allowing its contents to flow out.
   • To open by removing a closure: In a broader sense, it refers to the action of freeing an opening by extracting any stoppering object.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • She carefully unstopped the antique perfume bottle to smell its contents. (She removed the cork or plug from the bottle.)
  • The chemist unstopped the flask to pour the solution into a beaker. (He took out the stopper to allow the liquid to be poured.)
  • He unstopped the wine bottle with a gentle twist. (He removed the cork from the wine bottle.)

Advanced Usage

• "to unstopper a vessel": a formal or technical phrase used in laboratory or culinary contexts.

  • The technician unstopped the vessel to release the gas. (He removed the stopper from the container to let the gas escape.)

• Figurative use: Occasionally used metaphorically to mean "to release or let out something held back."

  • The news unstopped a flood of emotions. (The news caused a sudden release of feelings, as if removing a stopper from a container.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stopper (n): an object used to close or block an opening, such as a cork or plug.

  • The bottle had a rubber stopper. (The bottle was closed with a rubber plug.)

• Stopped (adj): closed or blocked with a stopper.

  • The stopped flask contained a chemical sample. (The flask had its stopper in place.)

• Unstopping (n): the act of removing a stopper.

  • The unstopping of the bottle required a corkscrew. (Removing the stopper needed a specific tool.)

Synonyms

• Uncork: to remove a cork from a bottle.

  • He uncorked the champagne. (He removed the cork from the champagne bottle.)

• Open: to make something accessible by removing a closure.

  • She opened the jar by twisting the lid. (She removed the lid to access the contents.)

• Unplug: to remove a plug or block from an opening.

  • Unplug the drain to let the water flow. (Remove the blockage from the drain.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Unstopper up: (rare) to completely remove a stopper from something.
  • He unstopped up the old inkwell to clean it. (He fully removed the stopper from the inkwell.)

Related Idioms

• To unstop one's ears: (archaic or figurative) to listen attentively or remove a mental block.

  • He finally unstopped his ears and heard the truth. (He stopped ignoring and started paying attention.)

• To unstop the flow: (figurative) to allow something to proceed freely.

  • The new policy unstopped the flow of ideas in the company. (The policy removed barriers to creative thinking.)