- snap
- [[t]snæ̱p[/t]]
♦♦♦snaps, snapping, snapped1) V-ERG If something snaps or if you snap it, it breaks suddenly, usually with a sharp cracking noise.
He shifted his weight and a twig snapped...
[V adv/prep] The brake pedal had just snapped off...
[V n adv/prep] She gripped the pipe with both hands, trying to snap it in half. [Also V n]
N-SINGSnap is also a noun.Every minute or so I could hear a snap, a crack and a crash as another tree went down.
2) V-ERG If you snap something into a particular position, or if it snaps into that position, it moves quickly into that position, with a sharp sound.[V n adv/prep] He snapped the notebook shut...
[V n adv/prep] He snapped the cap on his ballpoint...
[V adv] The bag snapped open.
N-SINGSnap is also a noun.He shut the book with a snap and stood up.
3) VERB If you snap your fingers, you make a sharp sound by moving your middle finger quickly across your thumb, for example in order to accompany music or to order someone to do something.[V n] She had millions of listeners snapping their fingers to her first single...
[V n] He snapped his fingers, and Wilson produced a sheet of paper...
[V n] She snapped her fingers at a passing waiter.
Syn:N-SING: N of nSnap is also a noun.I could obtain with the snap of my fingers anything I chose.
4) VERB If someone snaps at you, they speak to you in a sharp, unfriendly way.[V with quote] `Of course I don't know her,' Roger snapped...
[V at n] I'm sorry, Casey, I didn't mean to snap at you like that.
5) VERB If someone snaps, or if something snaps inside them, they suddenly stop being calm and become very angry because the situation has become too tense or too difficult for them.He finally snapped when she prevented their children from visiting him one weekend...
For the first and only time Grant's self-control snapped...
Then something seemed to snap in me. I couldn't endure any more.
6) VERB If an animal such as a dog snaps at you, it opens and shuts its jaws quickly near you, as if it were going to bite you.[V at n] His teeth clicked as he snapped at my ankle...
The poodle yapped and snapped.
7) ADJ: ADJ n A snap decision or action is one that is taken suddenly, often without careful thought.I think this is too important for a snap decision...
It's important not to make snap judgments...
The opposition is worried that a snap election will be held before they can get organised.
8) N-COUNT A snap is a photograph. [INFORMAL]...a snap my mother took last year.
Syn:9) VERB If you snap someone or something, you take a photograph of them. [INFORMAL][V n] He was the first ever non-British photographer to be invited to snap a royal.
Syn:10) N-UNCOUNT Snap is a simple British card game in which the players take turns to put cards down on a pile, and try to be the first to shout `snap' when two cards with the same number or picture are put down.11) EXCLAM You can say `Snap!' as an expression of surprise when you realize that two things are the same or very similar, for example if you meet a friend wearing the same shirt as you. [BRIT, SPOKEN]12) N-COUNT A snap is the same as a snap fastener. [AM]13) → See also cold snapPhrasal Verbs:- snap up
English dictionary. 2008.
