Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense cracks, present participle cracking, past tense, past participle cracked
1. verb
If something hard cracks, or if you crack it, it becomes slightly damaged, with lines appearing on its surface.
A gas main had cracked under my neighbour's garage and gas had seeped into our homes. [VERB]
Crack the salt crust on the fish and you will find the skin just peels off. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: break, split, burst, snap More Synonyms of crack
2. verb
If something cracks, or if you crack it, it makes a sharp sound like the sound of a piece of wood breaking.
Thunder cracked in the sky. [VERB]
He cracked his fingers nervously. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: snap, ring, crash, burst More Synonyms of crack
3. verb
If you crack a hard part of your body, such as your knee or your head, you hurt it by accidentally hitting it hard against something.
He cracked his head on the pavement and was knocked cold. [VERB noun]
4. verb
When you crack something that has a shell, such as an egg or a nut, you break the shell in order to reach the inside part.
Crack the eggs into a bowl. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: cleave, break More Synonyms of crack
5. verb
If you crack a problem or a code, you solve it, especially after a lot of thought.
He has finally cracked the system after years of painstaking research. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: solve, work out, resolve, interpret More Synonyms of crack
6. verb
If someone cracks, they lose control of their emotions or actions because they are under a lot of pressure.
[informal]
She's calm and strong, and she is just not going to crack. [VERB]
He was said to have cracked under the pressure and resigned. [VERB]
Synonyms: break down, collapse, yield, give in More Synonyms of crack
7. verb
If your voice cracks when you are speaking or singing, it changes in pitch because you are feeling a strong emotion.
Her voice cracked and she began to cry. [VERB]
8. verb
If you crack a joke, you tell it.
Somebody cracked a joke and we all laughed. [VERB noun]
9. See also cracked, cracking
10.
See not all sth is cracked up to be
Phrasal verbs:
See crack down
See crack on
See crack up
More Synonyms of crack
crack noun and adjective uses
(kræk)
Word forms: plural cracks
1. countable noun
A crack is a very narrow gap between two things, or between two parts of a thing.
Kathryn had seen him through a crack in the curtains. [+ in]
Synonyms: break, chink, gap, breach More Synonyms of crack
2. singular noun
If you open something such as a door, window, or curtain a crack, you open it only a small amount.
He went to the door, opened it a crack, and listened.
3. countable noun
A crack is a line that appears on the surface of something when it is slightly damaged.
The plate had a crack in it. [+ in]
Hundreds of office buildings and homes developed large cracks in walls and ceilings. [+ in]
Synonyms: split, break, chip, breach More Synonyms of crack
4. countable noun
A crack is a sharp sound, like the sound of a piece of wood breaking.
Suddenly there was a loud crack and glass flew into the car.
'Crack!'–The first shot rang out, hitting Paolo.
Synonyms: snap, pop, crash, burst More Synonyms of crack
5. singular noun
If you have or take a crack at something, you make an attempt to do or achieve something.
[informal]
I should love to have a crack at the Olympia title in my last year. [+ at]
She decided to head for the dormitory to take another crack at locating Blanche.
Synonyms: attempt, go [informal], try, shot [informal] More Synonyms of crack
6. countable noun
A crack is a slightly rude or cruel joke.
When Paul made the crack about the 'famous girl detective', I began to suspect thathe had it in for you. [+ about]
7. uncountable noun
Crack is a very pure form of the drug cocaine.
8. See also crack cocaine
9. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A crack soldier or sportsman is highly trained and very skilful.
...a crack undercover police officer.
He is said to be a crack shot, despite weak vision in one eye.
Synonyms: first-class, choice, excellent, ace [informal] More Synonyms of crack
10. See also craic
11.
See at the crack of dawn
12.
See paper over the cracks
13.
See a fair crack of the whip
crack in British English
(kræk)
verb
1.
to break or cause to break without complete separation of the parts
the vase was cracked but unbroken
2.
to break or cause to break with a sudden sharp sound; snap
to crack a nut
3.
to make or cause to make a sudden sharp sound
to crack a whip
4.
to cause (the voice) to change tone or become harsh or (of the voice) to change tone, esp to a higher register; break
5. informal
to fail or cause to fail
6.
to yield or cause to yield
to crack under pressure
7. (transitive)
to hit with a forceful or resounding blow
8. (transitive)
to break into or force open
to crack a safe
9. (transitive)
to solve or decipher (a code, problem, etc)
10. (transitive) informal
to tell (a joke, etc)
11. slang
to remove unwanted features from (a computer program)
12. chemistry
to break (a molecule) into smaller molecules or radicals by the action of heat, as in the distillation of petroleum
13. (transitive)
to open (esp a bottle) for drinking
let's crack another bottle
14. (intransitive) Scottish and Northern England dialect
to chat; gossip
15. (transitive) informal
to achieve (esp in the phrase crack it)
16. (transitive) Australian informal
to find or catch
to crack a wave in surfing
17. crack a smile
18. crack hardy
19. crack the whip
noun
20.
a sudden sharp noise
21.
a break or fracture without complete separation of the two parts
a crack in the window
22.
a narrow opening or fissure
23. informal
a resounding blow
24.
a psychological flaw
25.
a moment or specific instant
the crack of day
26.
a broken or cracked tone of voice, as a boy's during puberty
27. (often foll by at) informal
an attempt; opportunity to try
he had a crack at the problem
28. slang
a gibe; wisecrack; joke
29. slang
a person that excels
30. Scottish and Northern England dialect
a talk; chat
31. slang
a processed form of cocaine hydrochloride used as a stimulant. It is highly addictive
32. Also: craic informal, mainly Irish
fun; informal entertainment
the crack was great in here last night
33. obsolete, slang
a burglar or burglary
34. crack of dawn
35. a fair crack of the whip
36. crack of doom
adjective
37. (prenominal) slang
first-class; excellent
a crack shot
Word origin
Old English cracian; related to Old High German krahhōn, Dutch kraken, Sanskrit gárjati he roars
crack in American English1
(kræk)
verb intransitive
1.
to make a sudden, sharp noise, as of something breaking
2.
to break or split, usually without complete separation of parts
3.
a.
to become harsh or rasping, as the voice when hoarse
b.
to change suddenly from one register to another, as the voice of a boy in adolescence
4. Informal
to move with speed
now chiefly in phrase get cracking, to start moving with dispatch
5. Informal
to break down
to crack under a strain
verb transitive
6.
to cause to make a sharp, sudden noise
7.
to cause to break or split, as by a sharp blow or by heavy pressure, intense heat, etc.
8.
to destroy or impair
to crack all opposition
9.
to cause (the voice) to crack
10. US
to subject (as petroleum) to the process of cracking
see also cracking2
11.
to hit or strike with a sudden, sharp blow or impact
12.
to break through the difficulties of; manage to solve
to crack a secret code
13. Informal
to manage to gain entrance or acceptance in
14. Informal
a.
to break open or into; force open
to crack a safe
b.
to open and consume the contents
to crack a bottle
c.
to open and read or study
to crack a book
d.
to open slightly (a door, window, etc.)
15. Slang
to make (a joke)
noun
16.
a sudden, sharp noise, as of something breaking
the crack of a whip
17.
a.
a break, usually without complete separation of parts; fracture
b.
a slight defect; flaw
cracks in his composure
18. US
a narrow opening, as between boards; chink; fissure; crevice
19.
an abrupt, erratic shift of vocal tone, as from emotion or in adolescence
20.
a moment; instant
at the crack of dawn
21.
a sudden, sharp blow or impact
22. US, Informal
an attempt or try
to take a crack at working a puzzle
23. US, Slang
a joke, gibe, or sharp remark
24. Slang, Obsolete
a burglar or burglary
adjective
25. Informal
excelling in skill or performance; first-rate
a crack shot, crack troops
SIMILAR WORDS: break
Idioms:
crack a smile
crack down (on)
cracked up to be
crack up
crack wise
fall between the cracks
Word origin
ME craken < OE cracian, to resound, akin to Ger krachen < IE base *ger-: see crow1
crack in American English2
(kræk)
noun
1. US, Slang
hard, pebblelike pieces of highly purified cocaine prepared for smoking: a highly potent and addictive form of cocaine
adjective
2. US
designating or of cocaine in this form
crack in Mechanical Engineering
(kræk)
Word forms: (regular plural) cracks
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Materials)
A crack is a long thin hole with sharp ends in a material.
The failure started from a crack in one of the welds.
To repair a crack in the tank you first need to know what caused it to crack.
A crack is a long thin hole with sharp ends in a material.
More idioms containing
crack
have a crack at something
at the crack of dawn
a tough nut to crack
a sledgehammer to crack a nut
crack the whip
a fair crack of the whip
Examples of 'crack' in a sentence
crack
Solve all the puzzles to crack the code.
The Sun (2006)
Roll it around with your tongue so that all the taste buds get a fair crack.
Lockspeiser, Jerry & Gear, Jackie Thorsons Organic Wine Guide (1991)
The narrator tries to crack one and finds it made of pastry.
Jack Turner SPICE: The History of a Temptation (2004)
Her technique as a documentary maker is to keep asking little questions until something cracks.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Another cracking cup tie and we are through with style.
The Sun (2012)
We used to get up at the crack of dawn to work during the sales season.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Now you are dealing with crack cocaine and heroin.
The Sun (2011)
Two hit the leading edge of the wings and were cracked open like eggs.
Len Deighton Bomber
Excessive complexity offers a bonanza for accountants who can find inevitable cracks in the system.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The police are cracking down on people who use the internet in unacceptable ways.
The Sun (2007)
You must have witnessed the cracks beginning to appear?
The Sun (2010)
The cracks between the two men grew wider last season.
The Sun (2013)
There is little evidence knuckle cracking causes arthritis.
The Sun (2008)
What about if she cracked her head at the bottom?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They listened to my explanation through the crack in the door and finally let us in.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In urban areas buildings topple over and giant cracks form in roads.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You are not a rugby player very long and you get one crack at it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Crack one of the eggs into a cup and pour into one of the gaps.
The Sun (2016)
And again that conceptual cracking of glass.
Travers, P L What the Bee Knows - reflections on myth, symbol and story (1989)
Are you being honest about cracks beginning to show?
The Sun (2011)
I watched some of the rest of the ceremony through a crack in a curtain and I loved it.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
crack
British English: crack /kræk/ NOUN
gap A crack is a very narrow gap between two things.
I could see him through a crack in the curtains.
American English: crack fracture
Arabic: صَدْع
Brazilian Portuguese: rachadura
Chinese: 缝隙
Croatian: pukotina
Czech: puklina
Danish: revne
Dutch: kier
European Spanish: rendija
Finnish: murtuma
French: fente
German: Riss
Greek: ρωγμή
Italian: fessura
Japanese: すき間 fracture
Korean: 균열
Norwegian: sprekk
Polish: pęknięcie
European Portuguese: racha
Romanian: ruptură
Russian: щель
Latin American Spanish: abertura
Swedish: spricka
Thai: รอยแตก
Turkish: aralık
Ukrainian: щілина
Vietnamese: khe hỡ
British English: crack /kræk/ NOUN
line A crack is a line on the surface of something when it is slightly damaged.
There was a crack in the plate.
American English: crack line
Arabic: شَقّ
Brazilian Portuguese: rachadura
Chinese: 裂缝
Croatian: napuklina
Czech: prasklina
Danish: revne
Dutch: barst drug
European Spanish: grieta
Finnish: crack
French: fêlure
German: Crack
Greek: ρήγμα
Italian: crepa
Japanese: 割れ目 cocaine
Korean: 강력 코카인
Norwegian: crack
Polish: crack
European Portuguese: craque
Romanian: crăpătură
Russian: трещина
Latin American Spanish: grieta
Swedish: crack
Thai: รอยร้าว
Turkish: çatlak kokain
Ukrainian: тріщина
Vietnamese: vết nứt
British English: crack /kræk/ VERB
If something cracks or if you crack it, it becomes damaged, and lines appear on the surface where it has broken.
The window cracked.
American English: crack
Arabic: يَتَصَدَّعُ
Brazilian Portuguese: quebrar
Chinese: 破裂
Croatian: napuknuti
Czech: prasknout
Danish: revne
Dutch: barsten
European Spanish: rajar
Finnish: murtua
French: fendre
German: zerspringen Schüssel
Greek: ραγίζω
Italian: spaccarsi
Japanese: 割れる
Korean: 금이 가다
Norwegian: sprekke
Polish: pęknąć
European Portuguese: quebrar
Romanian: a crăpa
Russian: треснуть
Latin American Spanish: agrietar
Swedish: spricka
Thai: แตกร้าว
Turkish: çatlamak
Ukrainian: тріскатися
Vietnamese: làm rạn nứt
British English: crack ADJECTIVE
A crack soldier or sportsman is highly trained and very skilful.
...a crack undercover police officer.
American English: crack
Brazilian Portuguese: de primeira classe
Chinese: 训练有素的
European Spanish: de primera
French: d'éliteN
German: erstklassig
Italian: di altissimo livello
Japanese: 一流の
Korean: 능숙한
European Portuguese: de primeira classe
Latin American Spanish: crack
All related terms of 'crack'
crack on
If you crack on with something, you continue doing it, especially with more effort than before, or as quickly as possible.
crack up
If someone cracks up , they are under such a lot of emotional strain that they become mentally ill .
mud crack
a crack formed in mud beds in the course of drying and shrinking , sometimes filled in and preserved when the beds are changed to rock
toe crack
a sand crack occurring on the forepart of the hind foot of a horse
crack baby
an infant , typically born prematurely, with a condition caused by the excessive consumption of crack cocaine by the mother during pregnancy and characterized by malformations and learning disabilities
crack down
If people in authority crack down on a group of people, they become stricter in making the group obey rules or laws .
crack hardy
to disguise one's discomfort , etc; put on a bold front
crack house
a house or flat where drugs are dealt and used
crack wise
to joke or gibe
sand crack
a deep crack or fissure in the wall of a horse's hoof , often causing lameness
crack cocaine
Crack cocaine is a form of the drug cocaine which has been purified and made into crystals .
crack willow
a species of commonly grown willow , Salix fragilis, with branches that snap easily
quarter crack
a sand crack on the inside of the forefoot of a horse
hairline crack
a very fine crack
crack a smile
to break into a smile
crack of dawn
the very instant that the sun rises
crack of doom
doomsday ; the end of the world; the Day of Judgment
crack the whip
to make people work very hard and treat them strictly and perhaps harshly
crack down (on)
to become strict or stricter (with)
hard nut to crack
a person, problem , or thing difficult to understand or deal with
a hard nut to crack
a person not easily persuaded or won over
back, sack, and crack
( cosmetic depilation of) the back, scrotum , and the area between the buttocks
a tough nut to crack
a problem that is difficult to solve or a person who is difficult to deal with or to defeat in an argument or competition
at the crack of dawn
If you say that someone does something at the crack of dawn , you are emphasizing that they do it very early in the morning .
a fair crack of the whip
If you get a fair crack of the whip , you are allowed a reasonable opportunity to succeed at something.
have a crack at something
to try to do something difficult
a sledgehammer to crack a nut
If you say that someone is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut , you mean that they are using stronger measures than are really necessary to solve a problem .
a hard nut to crack/ a tough nut to crack
If you say that something is a hard nut to crack or a tough nut to crack , you mean that it is difficult to do or to understand .
Chinese translation of 'crack'
crack
(kræk)
n
(c) (in bone, dish, glass, wall) 裂缝(縫) (lièfèng) (条(條), tiáo)
(s) (= gap) 缝(縫)隙 (fèngxì)
(c) (= noise) 噼啪声(聲) (pīpā shēng) (阵(陣), zhèn)
[of whip]噼啪声(聲) (pīpā shēng) (阵(陣), zhèn)
(c) (inf, = joke) 挖苦话(話) (wāku huà) (句, jù)
(inf, = attempt)
to have a crack (at sth)尝(嘗)试(試)(某事) (chángshì (mǒushì))
(u) (= drug) 纯(純)可卡因 (chún kěkǎyīn)
vt
(= break)
[dish, glass, mirror]使开(開)裂 (shǐ kāiliè)
[bone]使骨折 (shǐ gǔzhé)
[nut, egg]打破 (dǎpò)
(noisily)[whip, twig]使噼啪作响(響) (shǐ pīpā zuòxiǎng)
(= solve)[problem, code]解决(決) (jiějué)
vi
[dish, mirror, pipe]开(開)裂 (kāiliè)
(inf)[person] (= lose control) 垮掉 (kuǎdiào)
adj
[soldier, athlete]技艺(藝)高超的 (jìyì gāochāo de)
to crack one's head/knee on sth头(頭)/膝盖(蓋)在某物上撞了一下 (tóu/xīgài zài mǒuwù shang zhuàngle yīxià)
to crack an egg into a bowl打一个(個)鸡(雞)蛋在碗里(裡) (dǎ yī gè jīdàn zài wǎn li)
to crack a joke讲(講)笑话(話) (jiǎng xiàohuà)
to get cracking (Brit, inf) 开(開)始大干(幹)起来(來) (kāishǐ dàgàn qǐlái)