unpick

[ uhn-pik ]

verb (used with object)

to take out the stitches of (sewing, knitting, etc.).

Origin of unpick

1350–1400 for earlier sense; 1770–80 for current sense; Middle English unpiken to pick (a lock); see un-², pick¹

Words Nearby unpick

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use unpick in a sentence

Again, it’s something that requires a lot of scientific knowledge and insight into the different solutions to really unpick it.
‘We need a structural shift’: Conscious Advertising Network’s co-chair on how the ad industry can tackle the climate crisis | Seb Joseph | November 30, 2021 | Digiday
From understanding data and reviewing tech stacks, processes and teams, to investigating different identifier solutions and testing contextual solutions, there’s a lot for marketers to unpick.
‘We can’t afford to put all our eggs in one basket’: Advertisers start long-overdue reappraisal of post-cookie identifiers | Kate Kaye | March 11, 2021 | Digiday
With it came a surge of subscribers as readers looked to the Economist to unpick the impact on the economy, politics, culture and more.
‘Retention has been one of our best stories of the year’: Bob Cohn on steering The Economist through crisis | Lara O'Reilly | October 20, 2020 | Digiday
One of the biggest challenges in trying to explain China’s role in Africa is that is often involves unpicking long-established narratives.
Watch: What China’s influence in Africa means for the global economy | Yinka Adegoke | October 8, 2020 | Quartz
He is due to face questioning by the police later this week, as they attempt to unpick the details of this amazing case.
Who Kidnapped Irish Millionaire Kevin McGeever? | Tom Sykes | February 5, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

Connie, if we can unpick the lock and get the door open, where shall we go?
Sue, A Little Heroine | L. T. Meade
You won't unpick the sewing on the American cloth too, will you?
Queensland Cousins | Eleanor Luisa Haverfield
In this case, unpick the cuffs if possible, if not, cut them off close up.
Needlework Economies | Various
She flung down the skirt that she was helping to unpick and let the scissors fall to the ground.
Girls of the Forest | L. T. Meade
He makes a frantic endeavour to unpick the stitches, finally giving it up in despair.
Peerless Prestidigitation | Herbert De Caston

British Dictionary definitions for unpick

unpick

/ (ʌnˈpɪk) /

verb(tr)

to undo (the stitches) of (a piece of sewing)
to unravel or undo (a garment, etc)

obsolete to open (a door, lock, etc) by picking

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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