# crack a smile

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/crack-a-smile
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To smile, especially while attempting not to.

## Examples

- The baby finally cracked a smile at his mother.
- Even though he was trying to look serious during the meeting, he could not help but crack a smile at the joke.
- Despite the heavy atmosphere of the funeral, the old man cracked a smile when he remembered his brother's lifelong sense of humor.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.