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to crack

to crack

127 1.9
To make a sudden sharp sound like something breaking
  • verb
  • /kræk/
translation icon : chasquear
  • There was a faint pulse of amber light, then the door cracked open with a sigh.
  • voice cracking

Your bones crack and crack and crack and crack.

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Examples

  • OK, now it is time to crack in the egg into the bowl.

  • I cracked this case for you guys.

  • So first up, and we're going to crack this open.

  • You just like simply just like crack it, like tap it.

  • Crack open whatever it is.

  • The rotten wood gave a tortured groan and cracked under the impact.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Theo heard a tree limb fall, cracking like a broken bone.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Let's get cracking.

  • As she stepped on the dry branch, it let out a loud crack that startled the birds.

  • The sudden crack of thunder made everyone look up at the darkening sky.

Synonyms

to break
vsto crack
1.0

To change a large bill into smaller bills

focuses on the sudden sharp sound produced when the object is struck or splits
to burst
vsto crack
164 1.4

Break open suddenly because of pressure inside

highlights the sudden sharp sound of a break rather than the internal force
to pop
vsto crack
149 1.0

To burst or make something burst with a sudden sound

emphasises a sharp striking sound rather than an explosion from pressure
to fracture
vsto crack
91 4.7

To break a hard object, for example a bone or rock

stresses the instant sharp sound at the moment of splitting rather than the damage
to snap
vsto crack
88 1.6

Make a sudden sharp sound or movement, for example when fingers click

focuses more on the sharp breaking sound rather than the movement

Idioms

To use firm authority to make people work harder and follow rules

to crack a nut
  • Informal
7.3

To use much more force or effort than needed to solve a small problem

8.8

To get a serious head injury that breaks the skull

9.3

A warning slogan saying crack cocaine can kill people

To use much more effort or help than needed to do a small task

To use far more force or effort than needed for a small task

Phrasal Verbs

63 3.8

To take strong action to stop illegal or wrong behavior

to crack up
  • Informal
18 3.5

To laugh loudly and without control

16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

15 2.6

Open something like a bottle or box to get what is inside

To find the secret meaning or solution in something difficult

to crack a joke
  • Informal
10 2.9

Tell a joke to make people laugh

9 6.8

To keep working on something quickly and with energy

to crack up
  • Informal
4 7.4

To have a nervous breakdown because of too much stress

To repair a break or hole in a surface so it is smooth and whole again

Find a way to solve a hard problem

To work quickly to finish many tasks in a short time

Compounds

20 6.6

A very strong illegal drug people smoke that causes a strong addiction

crack of dawn
  • Informal
19 3.2

Very early in the morning when the sun first appears

9 6.1

A person who uses crack cocaine and cannot stop

4 6.5

A person who hits targets very accurately with a gun

crack whore
  • Offensive
2 9.9

An offensive word for a woman who exchanges sex for crack cocaine, often because she is addicted

1 7.2

A sudden emotional breakdown or a sudden burst of laughter

quarter crack
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A vertical crack on the inside of a horse's front hoof that can make the horse limp

crack of doom
  • Archaic
9.9

The day when God judges everyone and the world ends

8.2

A large tree with stiff branches that break easily, often growing by rivers

creamy crack
  • Slang
9.9

A creamy food that people find very hard to stop eating

ab crack
  • Jargon
9.6

A visible straight line that appears down the middle of the belly from strong stomach muscles

fatigue crack
  • Specialized
7.0

A break in metal or hard material caused by repeated stress

9.9

A strong want to collect plastic toys like action figures or models

sand crack
  • Specialized
9.8

A vertical crack in a horse's hoof that can cause pain

toe crack
  • Specialized
9.9

A crack at the front of a horse's hoof that can make the horse limp

How Loud

to boom
33 3.4
bang
237 1.3
to crack
127 1.9
to snap
88 1.6
to click
92 1.0

Surface Forms

crack infinitive
cracked past
cracked past participle
cracking present participle
cracks third person singular

Etymology

The verb crack comes from the same sound-word idea and means to make that sharp, breaking noise, just like when a twig cracks. That's why to 'crack' something can mean to cause a sudden loud sound.