snap

Universal Words verb, noun, adjective, exclamation verb (-pp-) break 1 ~ (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 ~ (at sb) to speak or say sth in an impatient, usually angry, voice: [Vspeech] '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] ~ (at sb/sth) to try to bite sb/sth: 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] (AmE) to fasten a piece of clothing with a snap IDIOMS snap your fingers to make a sharp noise by moving your second or third finger quickly against your thumb, to attract sb's attention, or to mark the beat of music, for example: He snapped his fingers for the waiter to bring more wine. snap out of it / sth