uncork

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to remove the cork or stopper from a bottle or other container

   The waiter began to uncork the bottle at the table.

2. 2
   verb

   figurative: to release a feeling, force, or activity that had been restrained

   The victory seemed to uncork months of pent-up celebration.

Formed from un- in its reversing sense + cork. The literal meaning is "remove a cork"; figurative uses extend the image to releasing something previously contained or restrained.

Topics