unravel

résoudre, élucider

Comprendre et expliquer quelque chose de confus ou résoudre un problème difficile.

En anglais simple : To understand and explain something confusing or solve a difficult problem.

• We must unravel this mystery.
• The detective unravelled the case using phone records.
• Scientists are still trying to unravel how the disease spreads.

Synonymes : solve, work out, decipher

Expressions courantes : unravel a mystery, unravel the truth, unravel a puzzle

se désagréger, désagréger

Faire se défaire un ensemble organisé ou uni, ou commencer à se défaire.

En anglais simple : To make something organized or connected break apart, or to begin breaking apart.

• Their plans began to unravel.
• The scandal unravelled the fragile alliance.
• Years of cooperation were unravelling before our eyes.

Synonymes : fall apart, break down, disintegrate

Expressions courantes : unravel the plan, unravel an agreement, begin to unravel

détricoter, s'effilocher

Défaire les fils d’un ouvrage tricoté ou tissé, ou se défaire en parlant de ces fils.

En anglais simple : To undo the threads in something knitted or woven, or for those threads to come apart.

• My scarf is starting to unravel.
• She unravelled the sweater to reuse the wool.
• Pulling that loose thread will unravel the sleeve.

Synonymes : unpick, undo

Expressions courantes : unravel a sweater, unravel the knitting, start to unravel

démêler

Séparer des fils, des ficelles ou des choses semblables qui sont emmêlés ou entortillés.

En anglais simple : To separate twisted or tangled threads, strings, or similar things.

• Can you unravel this knot?
• She carefully unravelled the tangled fishing line.
• It took an hour to unravel the ball of wool.

Synonymes : untangle, disentangle

Contraires : tangle

Expressions courantes : unravel a knot, unravel tangled wool, unravel the string