unpick

American  

[uhn-pik] / ʌnˈpɪk /

verb (used with object)

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

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unpick British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of unpick

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

Example Sentences

They dominated possession most games and their approach was measured as they looked to unpick teams.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

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

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

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.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

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.

From Salon • Oct. 17, 2025

With this he slowly began to unpick his beard, muttering to himself meanwhile and taking the greatest precautions not to drop a stitch.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White