snip
/snɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /snɪp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsnip/ (ame, mw)
snip — verb
- snippresent simple I / you / we / they
- snipshe / she / it
- snippedpast simple
- snipping-ing form
1. to use scissors to remove or separate a small piece of something by making sever
to use scissors to remove or separate a small piece of something by making several short, quick movements — for example, snipping a thread, a loose label, or a dead leaf off a plant.
Mei-Lin snipped the loose thread from her shirt with the kitchen scissors.
snip + noun phrase from + noun phrase
The postman snipped a small hole in the plastic wrapping to check the contents.
Fatima snipped along the dotted line with her new craft scissors.
A gardener snipped the dead leaves from the rose bush one by one.
The tailor snipped the tag off the back of the jacket before the fitting.
文法句型
snip + noun phrase
snip + noun phrase + adverb/preposition
snip at + noun phrase
用法筆記
Transitive use ('snip something') is more common than intransitive. The intransitive pattern 'snip at something' suggests repeated or careful small cuts rather than a single action.
常見錯誤
snip — noun
- snipsingular
- snipsplural
1. a single short cutting movement made with scissors, or the small opening or mark
a single short cutting movement made with scissors, or the small opening or mark this action leaves on a surface.
With a quick snip, Diego cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony.
with a quick snip
The art teacher made one final snip to finish the paper snowflake.
A single snip of the scissors freed the new shirt from its packaging.
The nurse made a small snip in the bandage to check the wound underneath.
文法句型
make a snip
a snip in + noun phrase
2. an informal word for a vasectomy — a minor medical operation that prevents a man
an informal word for a vasectomy — a minor medical operation that prevents a man from being able to make a woman pregnant.
After their third child, Bjorn discussed getting the snip with his doctor.
get the snip
The clinic provided information for men who were considering the snip.
Oluwaseun took two days off work after his snip procedure.
Many fathers in their forties think about the snip as a reliable form of birth control.
- vasectomy
vasectomy is the formal medical term; snip is the informal, conversational equivalent
文法句型
get the snip
have the snip
go for the snip
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article: 'the snip.' This is an informal term; in formal medical writing, use 'vasectomy' instead.
3. a product that costs much less than you would normally expect to pay, making it
a product that costs much less than you would normally expect to pay, making it an excellent deal.
Elena found a designer handbag at half price — what a snip!
what a snip! (exclamation)
The laptop was a real snip at only four hundred dollars.
a real snip at + price
These winter coats are a snip in the end-of-season sale.
Thiago thought the antique wooden chair was a snip at the auction.
- rip-off
a rip-off is an overpriced product; a snip is an underpriced one
文法句型
be a snip
a real snip
a snip at + price
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. In American English, 'steal' or 'bargain' is more common for this meaning.
常見錯誤
4. a very small piece of material — such as paper, cloth, or hair — that has been c
a very small piece of material — such as paper, cloth, or hair — that has been cut away from a larger piece using scissors.
Ananya swept the snips of paper off the desk into the bin.
snips of paper
The hairdresser gathered the snips of hair from the salon floor.
snips of hair
Zara kept a few snips of ribbon from her wedding decorations as a souvenir.
Tiny snips of grass covered Kenji's trousers after he trimmed the lawn.
文法句型
snips of + noun phrase
a snip of + noun phrase
用法筆記
More commonly used in the plural ('snips') to refer to several small pieces. The singular 'a snip of paper' is possible but less frequent.