unpick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unpick" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where one is referring to the act of undoing or unraveling something, often in relation to sewing or problem-solving. Example: "I had to unpick the seams of the dress because they were not aligned properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will take a long time to unpick".

The Guardian - Opinion

In order to protect citizens' privacy, policymakers need to look beyond a narrow focus on data protection to unpick what is really considered to be intrusive and a risk, and how people might be harmed.

The Guardian

He does not want to unpick those decisions.

The Guardian

"Just unpick for a moment what he's saying.

The Guardian

Such is the sticky web of lives, that it is near impossible to unpick them.

The Guardian

David Cameron has ordered a review into secret police letters promising immunity to Northern Ireland terrorist suspects, but said he does not want to unpick parts of the 1998 peace deal that introduced the scheme.

The Guardian

So how can NGOs unpick all the different sub-trends of urbanisation?

The Guardian

He said the last government had been forced to make difficult decisions in order to get a deal, adding: "As an incoming prime minister, I don't want to unpick all those difficult decisions.

The Guardian

He has every chance to push through structural reforms in this autumn's session of the Diet, starting in mid-October.Leading proponents of reform are cautiously optimistic that the cabinet may now unpick "bedrock" regulations, such as a forced limit on rice production which keeps agriculture inefficient.

The Economist

Labour seized on that, accusing the chancellor of planning to unpick the post-war welfare state.

The Economist

Congress still has to approve or reject such deals, but TPA means it cannot unpick them line by line.Secondly, America has come up with a proposal on agriculture.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unpick" when you specifically mean to undo something complex or intricately constructed, whether physically or conceptually. It's particularly appropriate when discussing reversing policies, analyzing intricate problems, or literally undoing stitches.

Common error

Don't use "unpick" when a simpler term like "undo" would suffice. Overusing "unpick" in straightforward situations can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious. Choose simpler words like “undo” or “reverse” instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unpick" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It signifies the action of undoing or dismantling something, whether physical or abstract, as shown in the Ludwig examples from sources like The Guardian and The Economist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "unpick" is a versatile term used to describe the act of undoing or dismantling something complex, whether physically or conceptually. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in contexts such as news, business, and academic writing. While alternatives like "undo" and "unravel" exist, "unpick" is particularly suitable when addressing intricate or deliberately constructed entities. It's important to avoid overuse in simple contexts and to consider the neutral to formal register in which it is typically employed. The term's prevalence in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its reliability in professional communication, according to Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undo

Simply means to reverse the effects of something, similar to unpicking stitches.

unravel

Implies gradually resolving something complex, like a mystery or a knitted fabric.

untangle

Suggests making something that is tangled become free and clear, like untangling a ball of yarn.

disentangle

Refers to separating things that have become knotted or intertwined, similar to unraveling a complex problem.

unscramble

To restore to intelligible form as by clarifying or reorganizing

disassemble

Indicates taking something apart into its component pieces, like unpicking a machine.

deconstruct

Involves analyzing and breaking down a concept or structure, similar to unpicking an argument.

resolve

Focuses on finding a solution to a problem or dispute, similar to unpicking a complex issue.

take apart

Means to separate an object into pieces, similar to disassemble, but can also apply to abstract concepts.

revert

Suggests returning to a previous state, which can involve undoing recent changes.

FAQs

How can I use "unpick" in a sentence?

You can use "unpick" to describe undoing something intricate, such as "It will take a long time to "unpick" the complex trade agreement" or "She had to "unpick" the seam to adjust the dress".

What's a good alternative to "unpick" when discussing problems?

When dealing with problems, consider using "resolve", "disentangle", or "unravel" as alternatives to "unpick", depending on the specific context.

Is "unpick" formal or informal?

"Unpick" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in news articles and professional documents.

What does it mean to "unpick" a policy?

To "unpick" a policy means to gradually dismantle or reverse it, often implying a careful and deliberate process of undoing something that has been intricately constructed over time.