snap

/snæp/
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snap

The quarterback fumbled the snap.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A sudden, sharp sound: A short, quick, cracking noise, like that of something breaking or a finger being clicked.
    • A quick, sudden action or movement: A fast, often abrupt motion, such as the closing of something or a quick photograph.
    • A fastener: A type of clothing closure that makes a clicking sound when pressed together.
    • A brief period of something: A short, sudden spell of a particular condition, especially weather.
    • An easy task: An undertaking that is very simple to do.
    • An informal photograph: A photograph taken quickly and casually.
  2. Verb:

    • To break suddenly with a sharp sound: To separate or cause to separate abruptly, often with a cracking noise.
    • To make a sharp sound: To produce a sudden, short noise, like clicking one's fingers.
    • To speak sharply or angrily: To utter words in a quick, irritable, or abrupt manner.
    • To move or close quickly and sharply: To move or cause to move into position with a sudden, decisive motion.
    • To take a photograph quickly: To capture an image with a camera in an instant.
    • To lose self-control: To suddenly become unable to control one's emotions, often after prolonged stress.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • The branch broke with a loud snap. (The branch made a sharp cracking sound when it broke.)
    • She closed the purse with a snap. (She closed the purse, and its fastener made a clicking sound.)
    • We're expecting a cold snap this weekend. (We are anticipating a short period of very cold weather.)
    • Fixing the leak was a snap for the plumber. (For the plumber, repairing the leak was a very easy job.)
  • Verb:

    • The dry twig snapped under his foot. (The dry twig broke suddenly when he stepped on it.)
    • He snapped his fingers to get our attention. (He made a clicking sound with his fingers to attract our notice.)
    • "Don't ask me again!" she snapped. (She spoke those words in a sharp, angry tone.)
    • The lid snapped shut. (The lid closed quickly and firmly with a clicking sound.)
    • I snapped a few pictures of the sunset. (I quickly took several photographs of the sunset.)
    • After months of pressure, he finally snapped. (After enduring stress for a long time, he finally lost his emotional control.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Snap out of it": To force yourself to stop being in an undesirable mood or state (like sadness, lethargy, or daydreaming).

    • He was feeling depressed, but he managed to snap out of it. (He was able to make himself stop feeling depressed.)
  • "Snap to it": A command to start doing something immediately and with energy.

    • We're late! Snap to it! (We need to hurry up and get moving right away!)
  • "Snap decision/judgment": A decision or opinion made very quickly, without careful thought.

    • I made a snap decision to buy the car, and I later regretted it. (I decided to purchase the car impulsively.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Snappy (adj): Lively, brisk, or stylish. Also can mean irritable.

    • She writes in a snappy style. (Her writing style is lively and brisk.)
    • He's feeling snappy today. (He is in an irritable mood today.)
  • Snapshot (n): An informal photograph taken quickly.

    • I took a snapshot of my friends at the park. (I captured a quick, casual photo of them.)
  • Snap fastener (n): Another term for a snap, the type of clothing closure.

    • The jacket has snap fasteners instead of buttons. (The jacket uses clicking closures.)
Synonyms
  • Crack: A sharp sound, often of something breaking.
  • Break: To separate into pieces.
  • Bark: To speak or say something quickly and angrily.
  • Click: A short, light, sharp sound.
  • Breeze (informal, for an easy task): Something very easy to do.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Snap up: To buy or take something quickly and eagerly because it is a good opportunity.

    • Shoppers snapped up the sale items in minutes. (Shoppers quickly bought all the discounted goods.)
  • Snap at:

    • To try to bite someone or something suddenly.
      • The dog snapped at the mail carrier.
    • To speak to someone in a sharp, angry way.
      • She snapped at her colleague for being late.
Related Idioms
  • Snap one's fingers at: To show a lack of respect for someone or something; to defy or disregard.

    • He just snaps his fingers at the rules. (He completely ignores or disrespects the rules.)
  • In a snap: Very quickly or instantly.

    • I'll have this finished in a snap. (I will complete this task very quickly.)
  • A snap of the fingers: Used to indicate something happening very quickly or easily.

    • He can solve complex problems with just a snap of the fingers. (He can solve them almost instantly.)
snap

The quarterback fumbled the snap.

Noun
  1. (American football) putting the ball in play by passing it (between the legs) to a back
    • the quarterback fumbled the snap
  2. the act of snapping the fingers; movement of a finger from the tip to the base of the thumb on the same hand
    • he gave his fingers a snap
  3. any undertaking that is easy to do
    • marketing this product will be no picnic
  4. a fastener used on clothing; fastens with a snapping sound
    • children can manage snaps better than buttons
  5. an informal photograph; usually made with a small hand-held camera
    • my snapshots haven't been developed yet
    • he tried to get unposed shots of his friends
  6. the tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed
    • the waistband had lost its snap
  7. a sudden breaking
  8. a sudden sharp noise
    • the crack of a whip
    • he heard the cracking of the ice
    • he can hear the snap of a twig
  9. the noise produced by the rapid movement of a finger from the tip to the base of the thumb on the same hand
    • servants appeared at the snap of his fingers
  10. a crisp round cookie flavored with ginger
  11. tender green beans without strings that easily snap into sections
  12. a spell of cold weather
    • a cold snap in the middle of May
  13. the act of catching an object with the hands
    • Mays made the catch with his back to the plate
    • he made a grab for the ball before it landed
    • Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away
    • the infielder's snap and throw was a single motion
Verb
  1. record on photographic film
    • I photographed the scene of the accident
    • She snapped a picture of the President
  2. bring the jaws together
    • he snapped indignantly
  3. lose control of one's emotions
    • When she heard that she had not passed the exam, she lost it completely
    • When her baby died, she snapped
  4. cause to make a snapping sound
    • snap your fingers
  5. put in play with a snap
    • snap a football
  6. to grasp hastily or eagerly
    • Before I could stop him the dog snatched the ham bone
  7. move with a snapping sound
    • bullets snapped past us
  8. make a sharp sound
    • his fingers snapped
  9. close with a snapping motion
    • The lock snapped shut
  10. move or strike with a noise
    • he clicked on the light
    • his arm was snapped forward
  11. break suddenly and abruptly, as under tension
    • The pipe snapped
  12. separate or cause to separate abruptly
    • The rope snapped
    • tear the paper
  13. utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
    • The sales clerk snapped a reply at the angry customer
    • The guard snarled at us