undo
To make something go back to how it was before an action, often by using a button or command, or by removing the effect of the action.
To make the result of a previous action disappear or be as if it never happened, especially by using a command or by removing its effect.
To open or make loose something that was closed or held together, like a button, zip, or knot.
To open or loosen something that has been fastened, tied, buttoned, zipped, or wrapped.
To ruin a person or thing, or to cause someone to lose success and fail.
To cause someone or something to fail, be ruined, or completely lose success or progress.
- Base: undo
- 3rd Person Singular: undoes
- Present Participle: undoing
- Past: undid
- Past Participle: undone
- Irregular past: undid Verb
- Irregular past participle: undone Verb
be undone by [something]
1be ruined or defeated by something
To fail or be ruined because of a particular thing, such as a weakness, mistake, or problem.
- In the end, the company was undone by poor management.
- He was undone by his own pride and refusal to listen.
cannot be undone
1impossible to reverse or cancel
Used to say that something has happened and it is not possible to change it back or remove its effect.
- Be careful: once you delete these files, the action cannot be undone.
- Some choices in life cannot be undone.
come undone
1become loose or emotionally fall apart
1) To open by itself when it was fastened (like a button or knot). 2) To become very upset or unable to stay calm and in control.
- My shoelaces keep coming undone while I run.
- Her hair came undone and fell over her shoulders.
- After the divorce, he completely came undone and stopped going to work.
leave [something] undone
1not do something that needs doing
To not finish a task, duty, or job that you are expected to do.
- I hate leaving work undone at the end of the day.
- Many repairs were left undone because of the budget cuts.
undo the damage
1try to remove earlier harm
To make the bad results of something less serious, or to try to make things as good as they were before the harm happened.
- Planting more trees may help undo the damage caused by the fire.
- No amount of money can undo the damage done to their relationship.
undo the past
1change what has already happened
To make past events different or as if they did not happen, usually said to show that this is impossible.
- He knows he cannot undo the past, but he wants to make up for his mistakes.
- You can't undo the past, but you can choose what to do next.