untie
B2Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
to loosen or unfasten something that is tied, knotted, or bound
to resolve or disentangle a complex situation, obligation, or conflict; figuratively, to free someone or something from constraints
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a literal action verb but common in metaphorical usage. It implies reversing a previous act of tying.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The word is used identically in both varieties. Spelling remains the same.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. May carry a slightly more formal tone than 'undo' or 'loosen'.
Frequency
Slightly more common in written than spoken English in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + untie + [Direct Object] (He untied the dog.)[Subject] + untie + [Direct Object] + from + [Location] (She untied the boat from the dock.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Untie the Gordian knot”
- “Have one's hands untied”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical: to resolve a contractual obligation or a logistical bottleneck.
Academic
Used in literature and social sciences to discuss freeing from constraints or resolving conflicts.
Everyday
Common for physical acts like untying shoes, parcels, or pets.
Technical
Used in sailing (untie a line), climbing, and packaging.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you untie this knot in my shoelace?
- The sailor untied the mooring line.
- They agreed to untie the merged companies.
American English
- I need to untie my apron strings.
- He untied the boat from the cleat.
- The new evidence could untie the legal deadlock.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please untie your shoes before taking them off.
- The cat tried to untie the ribbon.
- Can you untie this for me?
- It took me ages to untie the stubborn knot in the rope.
- The treaty was designed to untie the two nations from their old conflicts.
- She untied the boat and pushed it into the water.
- The negotiator's skill helped untie the complex diplomatic deadlock.
- He felt a huge sense of relief, as if a weight had been untied from his shoulders.
- Legally, it's very difficult to untie yourself from such a contract.
- The court's ruling effectively untied the government's hands, allowing for more aggressive environmental regulation.
- Her insightful question managed to untie the convoluted logic of the philosophical argument.
- The artist sought to untie colour from its representational function.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
UN-do a TIE. Think of the opposite action of 'tie' with the prefix 'un-'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE KNOTS (e.g., 'untie a difficult situation'), FREEDOM IS BEING UNTIED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'untangle' ('распутать'). 'Untie' is more specific to knots and bindings. Avoid overusing the verb 'отвязать', which is colloquial; 'развязать' is closer.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'unlock' instead of 'untie' for knots. Confusing 'untie' (for knots/bindings) with 'unfold' (for flat objects).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'untie' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, yes, in its literal sense. However, 'untie' specifically refers to untying knots or bindings, whereas 'tie' can also mean 'to equal a score' or 'to attach', which have different opposites.
Yes, but it's less common than 'let down' or simply 'take out'. 'She untied her ponytail' is correct but slightly formal; 'She let her hair down' is more idiomatic.
'Untie' implies the fastening involves a knot, lace, or rope. 'Unfasten' is broader and can refer to buttons, zippers, clips, or any fastener, not just knots.
No direct, common noun derivative. The concept is expressed with 'untying' (the act) or paraphrased with 'release' or 'loosening'.
Explore