unpick

[uhn-pik]

verb (used with object)

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

unpick

/ ʌnˈpɪk /

verb

1. to undo (the stitches) of (a piece of sewing)

2. to unravel or undo (a garment, etc)

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of unpick¹

1350–1400 for earlier sense; 1770–80 for current sense; Middle English unpiken to pick (a lock); un- ², pick ¹

Example Sentences

But writing the changes into a full Act of Parliament was meant to prevent the new rights being easily unpicked by a future government.

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The Tories said unpicking the Brexit deal was a "ridiculous" idea, whilst Labour warned it could spark a trade war with Brussels.

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If you can understand that code, they reasoned, you can unpick the wonders of life.

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Ultimately, though, trying to unpick the precise reason for why our food and drink costs what it does is very difficult - other factors that influence price can go undetected.

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It’s tempting to believe we can supersede that, but the fact is, we’re always going to be attempting to unpick the injustices that exist absolutely.

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