Snapping

snap  (snp)

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 snatch or grasp suddenly and with eagerness: 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. See Synonyms at jerk¹.

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 or as if with the teeth; bite.

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 abruptly and smartly: "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 center (a football); 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 a football from the center to a back that initiates each 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.

With a snap.

Phrasal Verbs:

snap back

To recover quickly.

snap to

To pay attention or begin complying abruptly.

snap up

To acquire quickly: snapped up the tickets.

Idiom:

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.

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[Probably from Middle English snappe, a quick bite, probably from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch snappen, to seize, snap.]