unravel
B2Neutral; used in both formal and informal contexts, with figurative use being more common in general language.
Definition
Meaning
To separate the intertwined threads of something, either literally (like a piece of fabric) or figuratively (like a mystery or situation).
To become disentangled or resolved; to cause something complicated to fall apart, fail, or become clear.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In literal use, often implies an unintended or damaging separation. In figurative use, it can have positive connotations (solving a mystery) or negative ones (a plan failing).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or frequency. The literal sense might be slightly more common in crafting contexts.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] unravel[NP] unravel [NP][NP] begin to unravelVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The plot thickens (and then unravels)”
- “To see one's life/work unravel”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to deals, negotiations, or markets collapsing.
Academic
Used to describe the process of analysing and resolving complex theories or historical narratives.
Everyday
Common for discussing knitting mistakes, relationship problems, or understanding a complicated story.
Technical
In computing, can refer to debugging code or data corruption.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The detective worked tirelessly to unravel the mystery.
- My old jumper has started to unravel at the cuff.
- The ceasefire began to unravel after the border incident.
American English
- Investigators are trying to unravel the complex financial scheme.
- Be careful with that scarf or it will unravel.
- Their political alliance unraveled over the budget dispute.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My scarf is old and starting to unravel.
- The journalist's article helped unravel the corruption scandal.
- As the trial progressed, the defendant's alibi began to unravel.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RAVEL (a tangle). To UN-RAVEL is to undo that tangle.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTANDING IS UNTYING A KNOT; FAILURE IS COMING APART AT THE SEAMS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'разобрать' (to disassemble) for physical objects. 'Unravel' implies threads or complexity. The closer equivalent for the figurative sense is 'раскрыть' (a mystery) or 'разрушиться' (a plan).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'unravel' for physical disassembly of solid objects (e.g., 'He unravelled the engine').
- Confusing 'ravel' and 'unravel' as strict opposites (they can be synonyms).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'unravel' used LEAST appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, confusingly, 'ravel' can also mean 'to untangle', though 'unravel' is far more common for this meaning. 'Ravel' more often means 'to tangle'.
It is neutral. It is perfectly acceptable in academic and professional writing, especially in its figurative sense.
To 'obfuscate', 'confuse', or 'complicate'. For a physical object, 'tangle' or 'entangle'.
Yes. Transitive: 'She unravelled the thread.' Intransitive: 'The plan unravelled quickly.'