unpack
- 01 B1 Intermediate
to take things out of a suitcase, box, or bag after a trip or move.
to remove the contents from a container, especially after transport or storage.
Simple“It took us three hours to unpack all the boxes after we moved into the new house.”
In context“After arriving at the hotel, she immediately began to unpack her suitcase to ensure her formal attire remained free of wrinkles.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to explain a complicated idea or piece of writing by looking at its different parts.
to analyze or examine a complex concept, argument, or text by breaking it down into its constituent parts.
Simple“In today's class, we are going to unpack the main themes of the poem.”
In context“The speaker spent the first half of the lecture attempting to unpack the socio-economic implications of the new policy proposal.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to return a computer file to its original size so you can use it.
to restore compressed data or files to their original, uncompressed state.
Simple“You need to unpack the zipped folder before you can run the software.”
In context“The system will automatically unpack the installation files into a temporary directory before proceeding with the update.”
From Middle English unpakken, equivalent to un- + pack. Compare Saterland Frisian uutpakje (“to unpack”), West Frisian útpakke (“to unpack”), Dutch uitpakken (“to unpack”), German auspacken (“to unpack”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.