crack
verb
\ ˈkrak
\
\
cracked;
cracking;
cracks
Definition of crack
(Entry 1 of 3)
1
: to make a very sharp explosive sound
The whip cracks through the air.
2
: to break, split, or snap apart
The statue cracked when she dropped it.
3
: fail: such as
a
: to lose control or effectiveness under pressure
—often used with up The stress was so great that she started to crack up.
b
: to fail in tone
His voice cracked.
4
: to go or travel at good speed
—usually used with on The steamboat cracked on.
1a
: to break so that fissures appear on the surface
crack a mirror
b
: to break with a sudden sharp sound
crack nuts
2
: to tell especially suddenly or strikingly
crack a joke
3
: to strike with a sharp noise : rap
then cracks him over the head cracked a two-run homer in the eighth
4a(1)
: to open (something, such as a bottle) for drinking
(2)
: to open (a book) for studying
b
: to puzzle out and expose, solve, or reveal the mystery of
crack a code
c
: to break into
crack a safe
d
: to open slightly
crack the throttle
e
: to break through (something, such as a barrier) so as to gain acceptance or recognition
… on track to crack Hollywood after landing a big screen role.— Ed Gleave and Peter Dyke
f
: to show or begin showing (a smile) especially reluctantly or uncharacteristically
5a
: to impair seriously or irreparably : wreck
crack an opponent's courage
b
: to destroy the tone of (a voice)
d
: to interrupt sharply or abruptly
The criticism cracked our complacency.
6
: to cause to make a sharp noise
cracks his knuckles
7a(1)
: to subject (hydrocarbons) to cracking
(2)
: to produce by cracking
cracked gasoline
b
: to break up (chemical compounds) into simpler compounds by means of heat
crack the whip
crack wise
: to adopt or apply an authoritative, tyrannical, or threatening approach or policy (as in demanding harder work from employees)
The team needs a coach who isn't afraid to crack the whip.
: to make a wisecrack
The comedian often cracked wise about prominent politicians.
crack
nounDefinition of crack (Entry 2 of 3)
1a
: a loud roll or peal
a crack of thunder
b
: a sudden sharp noise
the crack of rifle fire
2
: a sharp witty remark : quip
3a
: a narrow break : fissure
a crack in the ice
b
: a narrow opening
Leave the door open a crack. cracks between floorboards
—used figuratively in phrases like fall through the cracks to describe one that has been improperly or inadvertently ignored or left out a player who fell through the cracks in the college draftChildren slipping through the cracks of available youth services.
4a
: a weakness or flaw caused by decay, age, or deficiency : unsoundness
b
: a broken tone of the voice
c
: crackpot
6
: housebreaking, burglary
7
: a sharp resounding blow
gave him a crack on the head
8
: an attempt or opportunity to do something
her first crack at writing a novel got first crack at the job opening
9
or crack cocaine
: a potent form of cocaine that is obtained by treating the hydrochloride of cocaine with sodium bicarbonate to create small chips used illicitly for smoking
crack
adjectiveDefinition of crack (Entry 3 of 3)
: of superior excellence or ability
a crack marksman
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