undo

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action d'annuler, de défaire ou de neutraliser une action ou un effet, souvent pour revenir à un état antérieur.

A verb used to indicate the act of reversing, canceling, or nullifying an action or effect.

verbe irrégulier

1. Cancel or reverseB1formal

   To cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect.

   Annuler ou inverser

   • He tried to undo the damage by apologizing.
   • You can undo the last action by pressing Ctrl+Z.
   • The new law could undo years of progress.

   Synonymesabrogateannulcancelcounteractinvalidatenegateneutralizenullifyquashrescindreverserevokevoid

   Antonymesaccomplishdoeffectenactexecuteimplementperformredress

2. Deprive of characteristicsC1formal

   To remove or strip away certain qualities or attributes.

   Priver de caractéristiques

   • The harsh criticism undid all her confidence.
   • Time can undo even the strongest bonds.
   • The scandal undid his reputation completely.

   Synonymesdenudedeprivedismantlediveststripunmake

   Antonymesendowimbueinvest

3. Cause ruin or downfallC1formal

   To cause the ruin, destruction, or downfall of someone or something.

   causer la perte

   • His greed ultimately undid him.
   • The company was undone by a series of bad investments.
   • One mistake can undo a lifetime of hard work.

   Synonymesdefeatdemolishdestroyoverthrowruinsubverttoppleunderminevanquishwreck

   Antonymesbuildconstructcreateestablishfound

4. Loosen or unfastenB1formal

   To cause something to become loose, untied, or unfastened.

   Défaire, desserrer

   • She undid the knot in the rope.
   • He undid his tie after the long meeting.
   • The child undid the buttons on his coat.

   Synonymesdetachloosenreleaseunbuttonunclaspunfastenuntieunzip

   Antonymesbindfastensecuretietighten

5. Remove wrappingB1formal

   To remove the outer cover or wrapping from something.

   Déballer

   • She undid the package carefully.
   • He undid the wrapping paper to reveal the gift.
   • The child undid the box to see what was inside.

   Synonymesopenunbinduncoveruntieunwrap

   Antonymeswrap