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Glite Dictionary
to zap the bug

to zap the bug

6.7
To fix a problem in a computer program quickly
  • phrasal verb
  • Jargon
translation icon : solucionar el error
  • After several hours, the developer was finally able to zap the bug causing the crash.

Examples

  • Can you help me zap the bug in the code?

  • I need to zap the bug before the app launches!

  • It's always satisfying to zap the bug that was breaking your code.

  • They worked late into the night to zap the bug in the new application.

  • The programmer quickly zapped the bug that was causing the app to freeze.

  • After testing the software, she managed to zap the bug that was causing errors.

  • He was excited to zap the bug in the code before the deadline approached.

Synonyms

to hack
vsto zap the bug
  • Jargon
15 5.5

To change computer code quickly to make it work

is a fast fix aiming to remove a problem rather than be makeshift
to hack on
vsto zap the bug
  • Jargon
1 8.2

To fix or change a computer program quickly until it works

is a quick removal action rather than gradual piecemeal improvement
to hotfix
vsto zap the bug
  • Specialized
4.9

To change software quickly to solve a problem

is a fast elimination of a problem and may be permanent
to patch the software
vsto zap the bug
  • Specialized
4.0

To fix problems in a computer program by installing updates

is a fast elimination of a bug rather than scheduled or systematic updates

Antonyms

to sidestep the issue
1 6.0

To avoid answering a difficult question by changing the subject

How Fast

to zap the bug
  • Jargon
6.7
fix
76 1.0
patch
  • Specialized
75 3.8

Surface Forms

zap the bug infinitive
zapped the bug past
zapped the bug past participle
zapping the bug present participle
zaps the bug third person singular

Morphology

zap + the + bug

The meaning 'to quickly eliminate a software bug' is directly and transparently derivable from combining 'zap' (to strike or destroy) with 'bug' (an error). This simple compositional metaphor (destroy the bug) is common in tech discourse and would be inferable by a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Zap the bug may come from the image of an insect and an electric zapper, where to zap the bug is to kill it quickly. That's why it now means 'to quickly get rid of a problem or error', especially in computer code.