snap
snap
/snæp/
break
snap something The wind had snapped the tree in two.
snap something off (something) He snapped a twig off a bush.
snap (off) Suddenly, the rope snapped.
The branch she was standing on must have snapped off.
One of the table's legs had been snapped off.
She picked up the pencil and snapped it in two.
Collocations
adverb
phrases
snap (something) in half
snap (something) in two
take photograph
snap something A passing tourist snapped the incident.
snap (away) She seemed oblivious to the crowds of photographers snapping away.
open/close/move into position
3 intransitive, transitive to move, or to move something, 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.
The plastic pieces snap together to make a replica of a dinosaur.
snap something + adj. She snapped the bag shut.
speak impatiently
+ speech ‘Don't just stand there,’ she snapped.
snap (at somebody) I was tempted to snap back angrily at him.
snap something He snapped a reply.
‘How should I know?’ Jen snapped back.
He lost his temper and snapped irritably at the children.
Collocations
adverb
preposition
at
of animal
5 intransitive snap (at somebody/something) to try to bite somebody/something The dogs snarled and snapped at our heels.
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.
I guess he just snapped.
fasten clothing
in American football
8 transitive snap something (sport) (in American football) to start play by passing the ball back between your legs Time will not be resumed until the ball is snapped on the next play.
Idioms
snap
/snæp/
sharp noise
1 countable a sudden sharp noise, especially one made by something closing or breaking She closed her purse with a snap.
the snap of a twig
photograph
2 (also snapshot) countable a photograph, especially one taken quickly holiday snaps
I managed to get a snap of the incident.
She took a snap of all the hotels we stayed in.
card game
3 Snap uncountable 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 (North American English) (British English press stud, popper) a type of button used for fastening clothes, consisting of two metal or plastic sections that can be pressed together
Idioms
snap
/snæp/
made or done quickly and without careful thought or preparation
It was a snap decision.
They held a snap election.
Collocations
noun
snap
/snæp/
1 you say snap! in the card game called ‘Snap’ when two cards that are the same are put down
2 (British English, informal) people say snap! to show that they are surprised when two things are the same
Snap! I've just bought curtains exactly like those.
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.
e.g.
Not quite. It's just dozing while it's cooped up in there. いやちょっと違う うつらうつらして籠もってるだけだ (/yupeco/『ゴールデンカムイ』8話) snap awake パッと目が覚める