untune
RareLiterary, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
to cause to be out of tune; to disrupt the harmony, pitch, or proper adjustment of something.
To disturb the proper functioning, balance, or emotional state; to cause discord or disarray.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Most commonly used in a figurative or metaphorical sense. The literal sense of making a musical instrument out of tune is now rare.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences. Equally rare in both variants.
Connotations
Carries a poetic or archaic connotation in both variants.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora; primarily found in literary or historical texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
untune + [object]untune + [indirect object] + [direct object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To untune the sky (poetic, Shakespearean).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, used in literary analysis or musicology discussions of historical texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in contemporary conversation.
Technical
Extremely rare even in music; 'detune' is the standard technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The poor handling could untune the delicate mechanism.
- He feared the scandal would untune the entire political harmony.
American English
- Don't untune the guitar right after I finished tuning it.
- The constant noise began to untune her nerves.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The strong wind untuned the old wind chimes.
- He didn't want to untune the piano.
- The politician's harsh words served only to untune the previously cooperative atmosphere.
- A single untuned violin can untune an entire orchestra if not careful.
- The relentless pressure of the campaign began to untune his previously unshakeable resolve.
- Critics argued that the new policy would untune the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: UN-do the TUNE. To UNTUNE is to spoil the tune or harmony.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARMONY IS BALANCE / DISCORD IS IMBALANCE. Emotional or social disorder is conceptualized as being out of tune.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'расстроить' (which more commonly means 'to upset'). Use 'detune' for musical contexts and 'disrupt'/'disturb' for figurative ones.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for 'upset' in modern emotional contexts (e.g., 'The news untuned me' – incorrect). Confusing it with 'detune', which is the modern technical term.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'untune' MOST appropriately used today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare in modern English. 'Detune' is preferred for musical contexts, and 'disrupt' or 'disturb' for figurative ones.
Not in contemporary usage. While Shakespeare used it figuratively for emotional disturbance, today it would sound archaic and confusing.
'Detune' is the standard modern verb for making a musical instrument out of tune. 'Untune' is an older, now largely literary synonym.
It originates from the prefix 'un-' (reverse action) + 'tune', entering English in the late 15th century. Its most famous use is in Shakespeare's 'Troilus and Cressida'.