/ snæp; NAmE / verb , noun , adjective , exclamation
■ verb
( -pp- )
BREAK
1.
snap (sth) (off) to break sth suddenly with a sharp noise; to be broken in this way :
[ vn ]
The wind had snapped the tree in two.
He snapped a twig off a bush.
[ v ]
Suddenly, the rope snapped.
The branch she was standing on must have snapped off.
OPEN / CLOSE / MOVE INTO POSITION
2.
[usually + adv. / prep. ] to move, or to move sth, into a particular position quickly, especially with a sudden sharp noise :
[ v - adj ]
The lid snapped shut.
His eyes snapped open.
[ v ]
He snapped to attention and saluted.
[ vn - adj ]
She snapped the bag shut.
SPEAK IMPATIENTLY
3.
snap (at sb) to speak or say sth in an impatient, usually angry, voice :
[ v speech ]
'Don't just stand there,' she snapped.
[ v ]
I was tempted to snap back angrily at him.
[ vn ]
He snapped a reply.
OF ANIMAL
4.
[ v ] snap (at sb/sth) to try to bite sb/sth
SYN nip :
The dogs snarled and snapped at our heels.
TAKE PHOTOGRAPH
5.
( informal ) to take a photograph :
[ vn ]
A passing tourist snapped the incident.
[ v ]
She seemed oblivious to the crowds of photographers snapping away.
LOSE CONTROL
6.
[ v ] 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.
[ v , vn ] ( NAmE ) to fasten a piece of clothing with a snap
•
IDIOMS
- snap your fingers
- snap out of it / sth | snap sb out of it / sth
- snap to it
—more at head noun
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- snap sth out
- snap sth up
■ noun
SHARP NOISE
1.
[ C ] 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 ) [ C ] a photograph, especially one taken quickly :
holiday snaps
CARD GAME
3.
Snap [ U ] 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 ) = press stud
—see also brandy snap , cold snap
•
IDIOMS
- be a snap
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] made or done quickly and without careful thought or preparation :
It was a snap decision .
They held a snap election .
■ 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!
For more information see the Cultural Guide
••
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.