snag
/snæɡ/ (bre, ipa) · /snæɡ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsnag/ (ame, mw)
snag — noun
- snagsingular
- snagsplural
1. an unexpected issue that makes a plan or process harder, slower, or less likely
an unexpected issue that makes a plan or process harder, slower, or less likely to succeed than originally expected
The wedding plans went smoothly until a last-minute snag appeared when the caterer cancelled.
collocation: a snag appears / a snag develops
Ananya encountered a snag with her visa application that delayed her trip by two weeks.
collocation: encounter a snag
Kwame's project hit a snag when the main supplier could not deliver the parts on time.
There was just one snag — the apartment was perfect but the landlord would not allow pets.
The negotiators thought they had an agreement, but a small snag over payment terms stopped the deal.
- solution
the thing that resolves the snag
- smooth sailing
idiomatic expression meaning no problems at all
用法筆記
Commonly found in the phrases 'hit a snag', 'encounter a snag', and 'run into a snag'. The implied problem is usually small to moderate, not catastrophic.
常見錯誤
2. a hole, pulled thread, or damaged area in a piece of cloth or similar material,
a hole, pulled thread, or damaged area in a piece of cloth or similar material, caused by contact with a rough or pointed object
Lena noticed a small snag in her new dress where the zipper had caught the fabric.
collocation: a snag in [item of clothing]
Diego tried to sew the snag in his coat sleeve before it turned into a bigger hole.
The cat's claw left a snag on the sofa cushion that Grace had to hide with a throw pillow.
Haruto carefully pulled the thread from the snag in his favourite woollen jumper.
A loose nail on the fence caused several snags in the curtains that were drying in the breeze.
用法筆記
The verb snag (sense 1) is often used to describe how the damage happened, and the noun snag describes the resulting damage itself.
常見錯誤
3. a cooked sausage, especially one eaten outdoors at a barbecue or similar informa
a cooked sausage, especially one eaten outdoors at a barbecue or similar informal meal; used mainly in Australian and British English
The party guests ate snags and salad on the deck while the sun went down.
informal register: 'snags' for sausages at a barbecue
Vikram grabbed a snag from the barbecue and put it in a bread roll with sauce.
At the school fair, volunteers sold snags and cold drinks to raise money for new books.
Mei-Lin had never tried a snag before, so Samira handed her one with fried onions on top.
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in informal contexts in Australian and New Zealand English (and to a lesser degree British English). In American English this meaning is not recognised.
常見錯誤
4. a small, sharp or uneven part that sticks out from a surface and can catch, scra
a small, sharp or uneven part that sticks out from a surface and can catch, scratch, or tear things that touch or brush against it
Omar cut his finger on a snag sticking out from the old wooden fence.
collocation: a snag sticking out
The fishing line kept catching on snags at the bottom of the river.
Camila snagged her backpack on a snag of wire protruding from the construction site.
A small snag on the tree trunk scratched Tomas's arm as he walked past.
- protrusion
more technical and formal; neutral in tone
- burr
a rough edge left on metal after cutting; domain-specific
- barb
a sharp backward-pointing projection, like on a fishhook or fence wire
用法筆記
This is the original concrete meaning from which the figurative sense (noun sense 1, 'problem') developed. Used to describe physical hazards in nature, woodwork, or metal work.
snag — verb
- snagpresent simple I / you / we / they
- snags3rd person singular
- snagging-ing form
- snaggedpast simple
1. to damage a piece of fabric or similar material by pulling it against a sharp or
to damage a piece of fabric or similar material by pulling it against a sharp or rough object, causing a tear or pulled thread
Jack snagged his trousers on a loose nail sticking out of the park bench.
transitive pattern: snag + clothing + on + sharp object
The expensive curtains got snagged on the sharp corner of the window frame.
passive: get snagged on [object]
Elin carefully untangled the thread after it snagged on the zipper of her jacket.
Be careful climbing over that wall — you might snag your jumper on the barbed wire.
The silk scarf snagged on the rough edge of the table and now it has a loose thread.
文法句型
snag + object + on + object
snag + on + object
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (you snag something on an object) or intransitively (the fabric snags on something). The passive form 'get snagged' is very common in spoken English.
常見錯誤
2. to obtain or secure something desirable by acting quickly or at the right moment
to obtain or secure something desirable by acting quickly or at the right moment, often before other people have the chance to do so
Olivia snagged the last ticket to the concert by refreshing the website at exactly the right time.
informal transitive: snag + desirable item
Kwame snagged a summer internship at the design studio before any other applicants applied.
The store offered a big discount and Amara snagged three pairs of shoes for half price.
If you want a seat by the window, you need to snag one early before the bus fills up.
Tomas snagged a promotion by volunteering for the overseas project before anyone else could.
- miss out on
phrasal verb meaning to fail to obtain something someone else got
文法句型
snag + object
用法筆記
Informal register — common in spoken English and casual writing (emails, text messages, social media). Not suitable for formal academic or business writing. The object is almost always something limited, desirable, or time-sensitive.
常見錯誤
3. to cause difficulties or interruptions that slow down or stop the progress of a
to cause difficulties or interruptions that slow down or stop the progress of a plan, project, or process
The construction project was snagged by a dispute over the quality of the building materials.
passive: be snagged by [issue]
Visa delays snagged the team's travel plans for the international conference.
The new software launch got snagged when the team discovered a critical bug in the code.
Talks between the two companies were snagged by disagreements about the final price.
Plans for the new playground got snagged when the city council ran out of funding.
- smooth
verb meaning to remove obstacles or make progress easy
文法句型
be snagged by + noun
snag + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice, especially in news reports and business writing. 'Get snagged' is a more informal alternative to 'be snagged'. The active voice is less common but possible.