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v. snapped, snap·ping, snaps v.intr. 1. To make a brisk sharp cracking sound: "Logs snapped in the grate" (James Fox). 2. To break suddenly with a brisk, sharp, cracking sound. 3. a. To give way abruptly under pressure or tension: With so many people crowding onto the platform, its supports snapped. b. To suffer a physical or mental breakdown, especially while under stress: feared that the troops would snap from fatigue. 4. To bring the jaws briskly together, often with a clicking sound; bite. 5. To take up something suddenly and eagerly; snatch or grasp: snap at a chance to go to China. 6. To speak abruptly or sharply: snapped at the child. 7. To move swiftly and smartly: snap to attention. 8. To flash or appear to flash light; sparkle: eyes that snapped with anger. 9. To open, close, or fit together with a click: The lock snapped shut. The jacket snaps in front. v.tr. 1. To snatch at with the teeth or mouth; bite: The turtle snapped the lettuce from my hand. 2. To pull apart or break with a snapping sound. 3. To utter abruptly or sharply: The sergeant snapped out a command. 4. a. To cause to emit a snapping sound: snap a whip. b. To close or latch with a snapping sound: snapped the purse shut. 5. To cause to move suddenly: "His head was snapped back by a sudden scream from the bed" (James Michener). 6. a. To take (a photograph). b. To photograph: snapped the winner on the podium. 7. Football To pass (the ball) from the ground back between the legs to begin a down; hike. n. 1. A sudden sharp cracking sound or the action producing such a sound. 2. A sudden breaking. 3. A clasp, catch, or other fastening device that operates with a snapping sound. 4. A sudden attempt to bite, snatch, or grasp. 5. a. The sound produced by rapid movement of a finger from the thumb tip to the base of the thumb. b. The act of producing this sound. 6. The sudden release of something held under pressure or tension. 7. A thin, crisp, usually circular cookie: a ginger snap. 8. a. Capacity to make a snapping sound; elasticity: This waistband has lost its snap. b. Informal Briskness, liveliness, or energy. 9. A brief spell of brisk, cold weather. 10. Something accomplished without effort. See Synonyms at breeze1. 11. a. A snapshot. b. The taking of a snapshot. 12. A snap bean. 13. Football The passing of the ball from the ground back through the legs to a back to initiate a play. Also called hike. adj. 1. Made or done suddenly, with little or no preparation: a snap decision. 2. Fastening with a snap: snap pockets. 3. Informal Simple; easy: a snap assignment. adv. Phrasal Verbs: With a snap. snap back To recover quickly. snap to To pay attention or begin complying abruptly. snap up Idiom: To acquire quickly: snapped up the tickets. snap out of it Informal To move quickly back to one's normal condition from an undesirable condition, such as depression, grief, or self-pity. [Probably from Middle English snappe, a quick bite, probably from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch snappen, to seize, snap.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
