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Definition of snap verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

snap

verb
 
/snæp/
 
/snæp/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they snap
 
/snæp/
 
/snæp/
he / she / it snaps
 
/snæps/
 
/snæps/
past simple snapped
 
/snæpt/
 
/snæpt/
past participle snapped
 
/snæpt/
 
/snæpt/
-ing form snapping
 
/ˈsnæpɪŋ/
 
/ˈsnæpɪŋ/
Idioms Phrasal Verbs
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    break

  1. [transitive, intransitive] to break something suddenly with a sharp noise; to be broken in this way
    • 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.
    Extra Examples
    • One of the table's legs had been snapped off.
    • She picked up the pencil and snapped it in two.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • suddenly
    • easily
    • off
    phrases
    • snap (something) in half
    • snap (something) in two
    See full entry
  2. take photograph

  3. [transitive, intransitive] (informal) to take a photograph
    • snap something A passing tourist snapped the incident.
    • snap (away) She seemed oblivious to the crowds of photographers snapping away.
  4. open/close/move into position

  5. [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.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • suddenly
    • easily
    • off
    phrases
    • snap (something) in half
    • snap (something) in two
    See full entry
  6. speak impatiently

  7. [transitive, intransitive] to speak or say something in an impatient, usually angry, voice
    • + 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.
    Extra Examples
    • ‘How should I know?’ Jen snapped back.
    • He lost his temper and snapped irritably at the children.
    Topics Feelingsc2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • angrily
    • harshly
    • impatiently
    preposition
    • at
    See full entry
  8. of animal

  9. [intransitive] snap (at somebody/something) to try to bite somebody/something synonym nip
    • The dogs snarled and snapped at our heels.
  10. lose control

  11. [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.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • suddenly
    • easily
    • off
    phrases
    • snap (something) in half
    • snap (something) in two
    See full entry
  12. fasten clothing

  13. [intransitive, transitive] snap (something) (North American English) to fasten a piece of clothing with a snap
  14. in American football

  15. [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.
    Topics Sports: ball and racket sportsc2
  16. Word Originlate 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.
Idioms
bite/snap somebody’s head off
  1. (informal) to shout at somebody in an angry way, especially without reason
snap your fingers
  1. to make a sharp noise by moving your second or third finger quickly against your thumb, to attract somebody’s attention, or to mark the beat of music, for example
    • He snapped his fingers for the waiter.
    • She only has to snap her fingers and her assistant comes running.
snap out of it/something | snap somebody out of it/something
  1. [no passive] (informal) to make an effort to stop feeling unhappy or depressed; to help somebody to stop feeling unhappy
    • You've been depressed for weeks. It's time you snapped out of it.
snap to it
  1. (informal) used, especially in orders, to tell somebody to start working harder or more quickly
See snap in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
dizzy
adjective
 
 
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