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Glite Dictionary
📦 To remove goods 😤 To vent feelings
to unload

to unload

34 4.2
Say angry words or complaints to someone
  • verb
  • /ʌnˈloʊd/
  • Informal
: desahogarse con
  • I needed someone to talk to, so I decided to unload on my best friend about my problems.

It's not like I'm unloading our deepest fears on on a first date.

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Examples

  • Because part of coming up with new ideas and creativity is unloading the things that are filling up space in our head, in our calendar.

  • I want you to unload on me because look, I love you.

  • I just need to unload, man.

    Our Idiot Brother (2011)

  • "You mind if I unload on you for just a minute?"

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Tomorrow I'm gonna call you and you can unload whatever it is you want to unload on me.

    Fanatic (2019)

  • And when you begin to talk to somebody, you begin to unload all of these things that you're struggling with alone.

  • She is unloading on her.

    Bruised (2021)

  • Ma had her mouth wide open, ready to unload on Monty when the head peeked around him.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • After a long week at work, she called her brother to unload on him about her frustrations.

  • It's helpful to unload on a therapist who can provide support and understanding during tough times.

Synonyms

to unleash
vsto unload
206 4.3

To suddenly let a strong feeling, power, or animal go free

involves directing angry complaints at another person rather than sudden release
to unburden
vsto unload
11 4.9

To remove a heavy load from someone, physical or emotional, often by talking

expresses strong complaints or anger toward another person
to dump one's load
vsto unload
  • Informal
8.8

Talk to someone to let out strong feelings or worries

pushes strong negative complaints at another person rather than seeking relief
to unload one's thoughts
vsto unload
  • Informal
4.8

To tell someone or write down your thoughts to feel better

focuses on angrily pouring complaints onto another person rather than neutral sharing

Antonyms

to suppress
48 5.8

To hold back feelings or reactions

to bottle up
41 5.6

To keep strong feelings inside instead of telling others

Phrasal Verbs

to unload truck
  • US
5 2.5

To take packages out of a truck

to unload one's thoughts
  • Informal
4.8

To tell someone or write down your thoughts to feel better

How Angry

to explode
114 3.5
to unload
  • Informal
34 4.2
to rant
  • Informal
72 4.8
to vent
67 4.1
to complain
∞ 1.0
to grumble
46 3.7

Surface Forms

unload infinitive
unloaded past
unloaded past participle
unloading present participle
unloads third person singular

Morphology

unload = load (semi-transparent) = un + load

The prefix 'un-' typically indicates reversal, but in this context, it metaphorically extends to expressing emotions, which may not be immediately obvious.

Etymology

Unload is also used for feelings: think of load as a heavy weight, so to unload on someone is to 'take the weight off' by telling them your anger or complaints.