snap

snap

I

snap¹ W3 /snæp/ verb (past tense and past participle snapped, present participle snapping)1.  BREAK  [intransitive and transitive] to break with a sudden sharp noise, or to make something do this:
    A twig snapped under my feet.
    The wind snapped branches and power lines.
    snap (something) off (something)
    I snapped the ends off the beans and dropped them into a bowl.
    snap (something) in two/in half (=break into two pieces)
    The teacher snapped the chalk in two and gave me a piece.
2.  MOVE INTO POSITION  [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move into a particular position suddenly, making a short sharp noise, or to make something move like this
    snap together/back etc
    The pieces just snap together like this.
    The policeman snapped the handcuffs around her wrist.
    snap (something) open/shut
    She snapped her briefcase shut.
3.  SAY SOMETHING ANGRILY  [intransitive and transitive] to say something quickly in an angry way:
    ‘What do you want?’ Mike snapped.
    snap at
    He snapped at Walter for no reason.
4.  BECOME ANGRY/ANXIOUS ETC  [intransitive] to suddenly stop being able to control your anger, anxiety, or other feelings in a difficult situation:
    The stress began to get to her, and one morning she just snapped.
    Something inside him snapped, and he hit her.
5.  ANIMAL  [intransitive] if an animal such as a dog snaps, it tries to bite you
    snap at
    The dog started snapping at my heels.
6.  PHOTOGRAPH  [intransitive and transitive] informal to take a photograph:
    Dave snapped a picture of me and Sonia.
7. snap your fingers to make a short sharp noise by moving one of your fingers quickly against your thumb, for example in order to get someone’s attention or to mark the beat of music
8. snap to it spoken used to tell someone to hurry and do something immediately:
    Come on, snap to it – get that room cleaned up__
9.  STOP  [transitive] American English to end a series of events – used especially in newspapers:
    The Rockets snapped a seven-game losing streak by beating Portland.
10. snap to attention if soldiers snap to attention, they suddenly stand very straight
⇨ snap-on
     

THESAURUS

■ to break something
   ▪ break verb [transitive] to damage something and make it separate into pieces, for example by dropping it or hitting it: Careful you don’t break the chair. | He broke his leg.
   ▪ smash verb [transitive] to break something with a lot of force: A policeman smashed his camera.
   ▪ snap verb [transitive] to break something into two pieces, making a loud noise – used especially about long thin objects: He snapped the sticks in two.
   ▪ split verb [transitive] to separate something into two pieces along a straight line: Using a sharp knife, split the melon in half.
   ▪ fracture verb [transitive] to damage a bone, especially so that a line appears on the surface: I fell over and fractured my wrist.
   ▪ tear /teə $ ter/ verb [transitive] to damage paper or cloth by pulling it so that it separates into pieces: She tore up the letter and put it in the bin. | I tore my jacket.
     
snap on/off phrasal verb
  to switch something on or off, or to switch on or off:
    A light snapped on in one of the huts.
    snap something ↔ on/off
    Kathy snapped off the light.
snap out of something phrasal verb
  to stop being sad or upset and make yourself feel better:
    Chantal’s been depressed for days. I wish she’d snap out of it.
snap somebody/something ↔ up phrasal verb
  1. to buy something immediately, especially because it is very cheap:
    People were snapping up bargains.
  2. to eagerly take an opportunity to have someone as part of your company, team etc:
    Owen was snapped up by Liverpool before he’d even left school.

II

snap² noun
1.  SOUND  [singular] a sudden loud sound, especially made by something breaking or closing:
    He shut the book with a snap.
2.  PHOTOGRAPH  [countable] especially British English informal a photograph taken quickly and often not very skilfully
   SYN  snapshot:
    holiday snaps
3. be a snap American English informal to be very easy to do:
    The test was a snap.
4.  CLOTHING  [countable] American English a small metal fastener on clothes that works when you press its two parts together:
    baby clothing with snaps
5. a snap of sb’s fingers a sudden sound made by quickly moving one of your fingers against your thumb:
    At a snap of his owner’s fingers, the dog came running.
6.  GAME  [uncountable] a card game in which players put down one card after another and try to be the first to shout ‘Snap__’ when there are two cards that are the same
⇨ cold snap
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ photograph a picture taken using a camera: Visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside the museum. | our wedding photographs
   ▪ photo informal a photograph: a way of displaying your digital photos | Do you want me to take your photo?
   ▪ picture a photograph of someone or something: I saw her picture in the paper the other day. | This is a really good picture of Sarah. | Can I take your picture?
   ▪ snap British English informal, snapshot especially American English a photograph that you take quickly and without thinking carefully about how it will look, for example when you are on holiday: Patrick showed me his holiday snaps. | She showed me a snapshot of her three children.
   ▪ shot informal a photograph – used especially by people who often take photographs: I got some great shots of Mount Fuji. | It's a lovely shot.
   ▪ print a photograph that has been printed on photographic paper: a set of 4 by 6 inch prints

III

snap³ adjective
1. snap judgment/decision a judgment or decision made quickly, without careful thought or discussion
2. snap election British English an election that is announced suddenly and unexpectedly

IV

snap⁴ interjection
1. British English used when you see two things that are exactly the same:
    Hey, snap! My hat’s the same as yours.
2. said in the game of snap when two cards that are the same are put down