snap
snap [snap snaps snapped snapping] verb, noun, adjective, exclamation BrE [snæp] NAmE [snæp]
verb (-pp-)
BREAK
1. transitive, intransitive to break sth suddenly with a sharp noise; to be broken in this way
•~ sth The wind had snapped the tree in two.
•~ sth off (sth) He snapped a twig off a bush.
•~ (off) Suddenly, the rope snapped.
•The branch she was standing on must have snapped off.
OPEN/CLOSE/MOVE INTO POSITION
2. intransitive, transitive to move, or to move sth, into a particular position quickly, especially with a sudden sharp noise
•+ adj. The lid snapped shut.
•His eyes snapped open.
•+ adv./prep. He snapped to attention and saluted.
•~ sth + adj. She snapped the bag shut.
SPEAK IMPATIENTLY
3. transitive, intransitive to speak or say sth in an impatient, usually angry, voice
•+ speech ‘Don't just stand there,’ she snapped.
•~ (at sb) I was tempted to snap back angrily at him.
•~ sth He snapped a reply.
OF ANIMAL
4. intransitive ~ (at sb/sth) to try to bite sb/sth
Syn: ↑nip
•The dogs snarled and snapped at our heels.
TAKE PHOTOGRAPH
5. transitive, intransitive (informal)to take a photograph
•~ sth A passing tourist snapped the incident.
•~ (away) She seemed oblivious to the crowds of photographers snapping away.
LOSE CONTROL
6. intransitive to suddenly be unable to control your feelings any longer because the situation has become too difficult
•My patience finally snapped.
•When he said that, something snapped inside her.
•And that did it. I snapped.
FASTEN CLOTHING
7. intransitive, transitive ~ (sth) (NAmE)to fasten a piece of clothing with a ↑snap
more at bite/snap sb's head off at ↑head n.
Verb forms: 
Word Origin:
late 15th cent. (in the senses ‘make a sudden audible bite’ and ‘quick sharp biting sound’): probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German snappen ‘seize’; partly imitative.
Example Bank:
•‘How should I know?’ Jen snapped back.
•He lost his temper and snapped irritably at the children.
•I guess he just snapped.
•One of the table's legs had been snapped off.
•She picked up the pencil and snapped it in two.
•She snapped the lid shut.
•The branch suddenly snapped.
•The plastic pieces snap together to make a replica of a dinosaur.
Idioms: ↑a snap ▪ ↑snap out of it ▪ ↑snap somebody out of it ▪ ↑snap to it ▪ ↑snap your fingers
Derived: ↑snap something out ▪ ↑snap something up
noun 
SHARP NOISE
1. countable a sudden sharp noise, especially one made by sth closing or breaking
•She closed her purse with a snap.
•the snap of a twig
PHOTOGRAPH
2. (also snap·shot)countable a photograph, especially one taken quickly
•holiday snaps
CARD GAME
3. Snapuncountable a card game in which players take turns to put cards down and try to be the first to call out ‘snap’ when two similar cards are put down together
FASTENER
4. (NAmE) (BrE ˈpress stud, pop·per)a type of button used for fastening clothes, consisting of two metal or plastic sections that can be pressed together
see also ↑brandy snap, ↑cold snap
Word Origin:
late 15th cent. (in the senses ‘make a sudden audible bite’ and ‘quick sharp biting sound’): probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German snappen ‘seize’; partly imitative.
Example Bank:
•I managed to get a snap of the incident.
•She shut the lid with a loud snap.
•She took a snap of all the hotels we stayed in.
•He heard the snap of a twig behind him.
adjective only before noun
made or done quickly and without careful thought or preparation
•It was a snap decision.
•They held a snap election.
Word Origin:
late 15th cent. (in the senses ‘make a sudden audible bite’ and ‘quick sharp biting sound’): probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German snappen ‘seize’; partly imitative.
exclamation
1. you say snap! in the card game called ‘Snap ’ when two cards that are the same are put down
2. (BrE, informal)people say snap! to show that they are surprised when two things are the same
•Snap! I've just bought that CD too!
Word Origin:
late 15th cent. (in the senses ‘make a sudden audible bite’ and ‘quick sharp biting sound’): probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German snappen ‘seize’; partly imitative.
See also: ↑popper ▪ ↑press stud ▪ ↑snapshot
|
|
