English Dictionary

unravel

/ʌnˈɹævəl/

verb

(transitive) To separate the threads (of); disentangle. / (intransitive, of threads etc.) To become separated; (of something woven, knitted, etc.) to come apart.

She carefully unraveled the tangled yarn.

意味（1）

(transitive) To separate the threads (of); disentangle.

Stop playing with the seam of the tablecloth! You'll unravel it.

意味（2）

(intransitive, of threads etc.) To become separated; (of something woven, knitted, etc.) to come apart.

[…] the burning threads

[…] the burning threads Of woven cloud unravel in pale air:

意味（3）

(transitive, figuratively) To clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve.

to unravel a plot

意味（4）

(transitive, figuratively) To separate the connected or united parts of; to throw into disorder; to confuse.

Art shall be conjured for it, and nature all unravelled.

意味（5）

(intransitive, figuratively) To become undone; to collapse.

The great Ponzi scheme that lies behind our State pension is unravelling – as they all do eventually – because money being taken from new investors is insufficient to honour promises issued to earlier generations.