snap
snap — verb
- snappresent simple I / you / we / they
- snapshe / she / it
- snappedpast simple
- snapping-ing form
1. When a thin, stiff object such as a branch, pencil, or rope breaks all at once w
When a thin, stiff object such as a branch, pencil, or rope breaks all at once with a sharp cracking sound; or you break something like that on purpose.
The old branch snapped under the weight of the heavy snow.
intransitive: noun + snap under weight/pressure
Adaeze snapped the pencil in half when she heard the bad news.
transitive: snap + noun + in half/in two
A strong gust of wind snapped the wooden fence post clean in two.
Kabir snapped the dry spaghetti pieces before dropping them into the pot.
The rope suddenly snapped during the game, and everyone fell backward.
文法句型
snap + noun
noun + snap
用法筆記
Object is usually long, thin, and rigid (a stick, bone, rope, pencil). The sharp cracking sound is a defining feature — if the object breaks silently, a different verb is more appropriate.
常見錯誤
2. To reach a point where you can no longer stay calm or manage your feelings, ofte
To reach a point where you can no longer stay calm or manage your feelings, often showing sudden anger, after a long period of stress or difficulty.
After months of working without a break, Amelia finally snapped at the meeting.
snap + under pressure: lose emotional control
Children who feel ignored sometimes snap and throw things around the room.
Kabir knew he was about to snap, so he went outside to breathe.
The long wait at the hospital made even the calmest patients snap.
Reuben nearly snapped when his computer crashed just before the deadline.
- crack
very similar; 'crack under pressure' has the same meaning
- break down
broader — can include crying or giving up, not just anger
- lose it
informal synonym for sudden emotional loss of control
- stay calm
to remain in control of emotions
- keep it together
informal phrase meaning to stay composed
文法句型
snap (under stress / pressure)
snap and + verb
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'under' (snap under pressure/stress) or with 'about to / nearly.' The emotion is most often anger, though frustration or grief can also trigger it.
常見錯誤
3. To move or push something quickly into a new position, or to move that way, usua
To move or push something quickly into a new position, or to move that way, usually producing a short click or crack sound.
Lan snapped the lid back onto the plastic container.
transitive: snap + noun + onto/into position
The wooden ruler snapped into place when Joaquín pushed the lever.
intransitive: noun + snap + into place
Defne snapped the puzzle piece firmly into its spot.
The flag snapped in the wind above the school gate.
Nicholas snapped the book shut and stood up from his chair.
文法句型
snap + noun + into/onto
noun + snap + into/onto
用法筆記
Often followed by a preposition of position: into, onto, shut, open. The sound is brief and sharp — like a light switch clicking or a lid sealing.
4. To go back rapidly to a former shape or state after being bent, pulled, or press
To go back rapidly to a former shape or state after being bent, pulled, or pressed out of that shape.
The rubber band snapped back into its original shape when Lan let go.
snap back + to [original state/shape]
Talia's hair snapped back into curls the moment the rain touched it.
The young tree snapped upright after the heavy snow melted away.
Many local businesses snap back quickly after a short period of difficulty.
The metal ruler snapped back to its straight position after James bent it.
- bounce back
very similar meaning; more common in figurative use
- spring back
synonymous; 'spring' emphasises the elastic force
- recover
broader and more formal; does not imply speed
文法句型
snap back (to + noun)
用法筆記
Very often used with the particle 'back.' Can be literal (a bent object returning to shape) or figurative (an economy, market, or person recovering from difficulty).
5. To close something, or for something to close, firmly and quickly with a short s
To close something, or for something to close, firmly and quickly with a short sharp sound.
The metal briefcase snapped shut with a loud click in the empty hall.
intransitive: noun + snap shut
James snapped the lock shut before running to catch his train.
transitive: snap + noun + shut
The old suitcase snapped shut when Ziad pressed down on both sides.
Ayana snapped the necklace clasp shut while looking in the mirror.
The laptop snapped shut when Christopher bumped against the desk.
- click shut
emphasises the sound; a quieter version of snap shut
- close quickly
general description without the sound element
- snap open
the same type of movement in the opposite direction
文法句型
snap + noun + shut
noun + snap + shut
用法筆記
Used with the adverb 'shut' to indicate the closing action. The object is typically something with a lid, clasp, or hinged cover. The sound is a defining feature — silent closing does not fit this sense.
6. When a creature attempts to sink its teeth into a person or thing by suddenly cl
When a creature attempts to sink its teeth into a person or thing by suddenly closing its mouth, often as a warning or in self-defence.
The guard dog snapped at the stranger who climbed over the fence.
animal + snap at [target]
The turtle snapped at the lettuce leaf but missed the first time.
The little fish snapped at the food as soon as it hit the water.
Ziad's cat snapped at his hand when he tried to brush her fur.
The horse snapped at the apple but took it with surprising gentleness.
文法句型
snap at + noun
animal + snap (at)
用法筆記
The subject is always an animal (or a person behaving like one). The preposition 'at' introduces the target of the attempted bite. If the animal actually bites and holds on, 'snap' is not the right verb — use 'bite' or 'clamp.'
常見錯誤
7. to respond to someone in a sharp, irritated tone, usually with a short and angry
to respond to someone in a sharp, irritated tone, usually with a short and angry remark.
When Lukas asked again about the money, his brother snapped, "Enough already!"
snap + direct speech for sudden angry reply
The tired nurse snapped at the patient's family for making too much noise.
snap at + person + for + reason
Ayesha could feel her patience running out, but she did not snap at the children.
Constanza snapped an angry reply before realizing her boss was standing right behind her.
The cashier snapped at Minho when he asked for a simple receipt.
文法句型
snap at + person
snap + speech
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'at + person' when the angry words are directed at someone. When used transitively, the direct object is the angry remark itself, not the person.
常見錯誤
8. to take photographs, especially quickly and without careful preparation.
to take photographs, especially quickly and without careful preparation.
Lien snapped photos of the street performers during her lunch break.
snap + photos + of + subject
Tourists snapped pictures of the sunset over the old harbour.
Quinn snapped a quick photo of the menu before the waiter took it away.
The journalist snapped several shots of the protest from across the street.
Kofi snapped a picture of the street art on his way to the station.
文法句型
snap + photos/pictures/shots + of + subject
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'photos', 'pictures', or 'shots' as the object. Less formal than 'photograph' and implies speed or casualness.
常見錯誤
9. to close or attach something using a small metal or plastic fastener with two ro
to close or attach something using a small metal or plastic fastener with two rounded parts that lock together with a clicking sound.
Bao snapped his jacket shut before stepping out into the cold wind.
snap + clothing + shut/closed
Madison snapped the collar of her dog's coat into place.
snap + object + into place
Walid helped the toddler snap her coat closed before they went outside.
The buttons on the baby's pyjamas snap together easily.
Lukas snapped the straps on his backpack and headed for the door.
- unsnap
to open by releasing a snap fastener
文法句型
snap + clothing + shut/closed/together
用法筆記
Often used with an adjective complement such as 'shut', 'closed', or 'together' to describe the result of fastening. The fastener itself is also called a 'snap' (noun).
常見錯誤
snap — noun
- snapsingular
- snapsplural
1. a short, sharp noise made when something thin breaks or when two hard pieces cli
a short, sharp noise made when something thin breaks or when two hard pieces click together.
Lara heard the snap of a twig behind her and spun around quickly.
a snap of [something] describing a sudden noise
The branch gave a loud snap before it fell onto the garden path.
gave a [adjective] snap — common verb-noun collocation
Mert closed the metal box, and the lid shut with a clean snap.
A sudden snap from the kitchen made everyone stop talking for a moment.
文法句型
a snap (of something)
用法筆記
Usually singular — this sense is nearly always used as "a snap" or "the snap" describing a single sound event.
2. a small round fastener made of two metal or plastic discs that lock together whe
a small round fastener made of two metal or plastic discs that lock together when pressed, used on clothing.
Nellie sewed a new snap onto the baby's jacket after the old one broke.
sew a snap onto [garment]
The snap on Théo's shirt popped open when he bent to tie his shoe.
Eli prefers jackets with snaps instead of buttons because they close faster.
Tara replaced the broken snap on her cardigan with a matching blue one.
- popper
British term for the same fastener
- press stud
more formal term, common in UK and Australia
- fastener
broader category; less specific than snap
用法筆記
Also called a "popper" in British English. More common in casual or children's clothing than in formal wear.
3. an informal picture that someone takes quickly with a simple camera or phone, wi
an informal picture that someone takes quickly with a simple camera or phone, without trying to produce art.
Apinya showed us a snap of her cat sleeping on the sofa last Sunday.
My grandmother keeps a snap of the old house in her wallet at all times.
keep a snap in one's wallet — treasured informal photo
Dylan took a snap of the cherry blossoms during his walk through the park.
A woman on the train asked if she could take a snap of the sunset.
Amani sent me a snap of the beach at sunset, and it looked beautiful.
用法筆記
Distinguish from "snapshot" — snap is the shortened, more informal form. Unlike a formal photograph, a snap is usually unposed.
常見錯誤
4. a simple card game where players take turns laying cards face-up and call out "s
a simple card game where players take turns laying cards face-up and call out "snap!" when two cards of the same value appear.
Ryo won three rounds of snap by spotting matching cards faster than anyone else.
The children played snap for nearly an hour before dinner last night.
play snap — fixed collocation for the game
During the party, four friends sat on the rug and played snap together.
Snap is a good game for teaching young children how to recognise numbers quickly.
文法句型
play snap
用法筆記
Treated as an uncountable game name — "Do you want to play snap?" not "play a snap." The exclamation "Snap!" is also used outside the game when two identical things appear together.
5. a task or activity that needs very little effort and is finished quickly.
a task or activity that needs very little effort and is finished quickly.
The maths quiz was a snap for Lara, who finished it in under five minutes.
be a snap for [someone] — fixed phrase
For a trained cook like Piotr, making this sauce is an absolute snap.
After months of practice, driving the delivery truck became a snap for him.
Fixing the leaky pipe was no snap, despite what the plumber had promised.
- breeze
similar in register, suggests something passes quickly and easily
- piece of cake
British equivalent, equally informal
- cinch
slightly older slang, same meaning
文法句型
be a snap
no snap
用法筆記
Primarily American English. British speakers more commonly use "a piece of cake" or "easy peasy." Usually appears in the singular form "a snap" or "no snap."
6. the action in American football where the centre starts a play by sending the ba
the action in American football where the centre starts a play by sending the ball through his open legs to the quarterback behind him.
The centre made a clean snap to the quarterback, who then threw a long pass.
make a clean snap to the quarterback — key collocation
Élise fumbled the snap on the first play, and the other team recovered the ball.
The crowd went quiet right before the snap, waiting for the play to start.
All eleven players stayed perfectly still until the centre began the snap.
- hike
informal equivalent, from the quarterback's signal "hike!"
- snap count
refers to the timing or number signal before the snap, not the act itself
用法筆記
This sense is specific to American football. In Canadian football the same action is called a "snap" as well, though the rules differ slightly. Not used in rugby or soccer.
7. a noun placed before another noun to describe a decision or action that is made
a noun placed before another noun to describe a decision or action that is made suddenly, without taking time to think about it carefully.
Faisal made a snap decision to book the flight before the prices went up again.
attributive noun: a snap decision
Paloma later admitted that her snap judgment about the new teacher was unfair.
collocation: snap judgment
The prime minister called a snap election, hoping to win a larger majority in parliament.
Takeshi knew that a snap reaction to the email would only make the situation worse.
Snap decisions are rarely the best — the Watanabe family sleeps on big choices.
- considered
done after careful thought
- deliberate
done on purpose with full awareness
- measured
cautious and balanced after thought
文法句型
a snap + noun (decision, judgment, election, reaction, vote)
用法筆記
This noun only appears before another noun in compounds like 'snap decision' or 'snap election.' Unlike the adjective sense, it cannot be used as a predicate: ❌ 'The decision was snap.' ✅ 'It was a snap decision.' Distinguish from noun sense 5 (EASY TASK) — that sense means something is easy; this sense means something is done quickly and impulsively.
常見錯誤
snap — adjective
- snappositive
- snappercomparative
- snappestsuperlative
1. describes a decision, judgment, or action that is made very quickly, usually wit
describes a decision, judgment, or action that is made very quickly, usually without giving it enough thought first
Min made a snap decision to quit her job and travel across Asia.
collocation: snap decision
The judge later admitted his snap judgment in court had been unfair to the defendant.
collocation: snap judgment; attributive use
Buying that expensive guitar was a snap choice that Lukas regretted the next day.
Femi's snap reaction to the news surprised everyone in the office.
A snap decision made in anger often leads to problems later on.
- hasty
focuses on speed; less negative than snap
- impulsive
emphasises acting on sudden feeling rather than thought; similar register
- rash
stronger negative connotation — suggests the result was unwise or dangerous
- spur-of-the-moment
more informal; can be neutral or positive ('spur-of-the-moment trip')
- considered
opposite in terms of thoughtfulness
- deliberate
opposite in terms of intention and care
文法句型
snap + noun (decision, judgment, reaction, reply, choice)
用法筆記
Always used before a noun (attributive only). This sense of snap cannot appear after a linking verb — 'The decision was snap' is incorrect.
常見錯誤
snap — adverb
1. describes an action that happens together with a sudden short sharp noise, like
describes an action that happens together with a sudden short sharp noise, like the sound made when a thin piece of wood breaks or a lock clicks into place.
The dry branch went snap when Eshe broke it across her knee.
go snap — onomatopoeic adverb for sudden breaking sound
Paloma closed the metal case, and the lock clicked with a snap.
verb + with a snap — action accompanied by a sharp sound
The wooden window swung shut with a snap after Zayd pressed the latch.
The fishing line went snap when a big fish pulled hard underwater.
The old leather belt went snap when it caught on the rusty nail.
文法句型
verb + snap
go snap
用法筆記
This adverbial use of 'snap' is uncommon in formal writing but appears in everyday speech and narrative prose to describe a sudden sound accompanying an action. The pattern 'go snap' is especially common.
常見錯誤
snap — exclamation
1. An exclamation shouted during the card game Snap when two matching cards are pla
An exclamation shouted during the card game Snap when two matching cards are placed on the table one after the other, indicating that the player has spotted the match.
Dario shouted 'Snap!' the moment the two queens were placed on the pile.
shouted 'Snap!' in the card game Snap
The children all screamed 'Snap!' at once, making the teacher laugh.
Hugo won the round because he called 'Snap!' before anyone else could react.
In Snap, you say 'Snap!' as soon as you see two matching cards.
'Snap!' yelled Paloma, slapping her hand on the pile of cards with a grin.
用法筆記
This exclamation is only used in the context of the card game Snap. For everyday situations where two things are identical, see sense 2 below.
2. A playful exclamation made when realising that two people share something identi
A playful exclamation made when realising that two people share something identical — for instance, the same item of clothing, the same word spoken at the same moment, or the same idea occurring at the same time.
Noor and Rin wore the same red dress and yelled 'Snap!' together.
used when two people have identical things
When Faisal said 'That's what I was thinking!' Christopher called out 'Snap!' with a grin.
'Snap! We chose the same film without knowing it,' said Élise, laughing.
Harper and Zuri both started humming the same tune and then shouted 'Snap!' together.
At the party, three guests wore the same scarf — someone laughed and said 'Snap!'
用法筆記
Used informally among friends or in casual settings when a coincidence is discovered. This sense is an extension of the card-game exclamation (sense 1) into everyday life.