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REFERENCE

crack

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈkɹæk// UK //kɹˈæk// crack
  1. 1 a physical break (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a thin line on the surface of something that is starting to break.

    a narrow opening or fissure formed by the parting of a solid substance.

    Example

    There is a small crack in the window, so we should be careful not to touch it.

    Example

    The structural engineer identified a hairline crack in the foundation that suggested the building was settling unevenly.
  2. 2 a sharp sound (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a sudden, loud, and short noise.

    a sudden, sharp, and explosive acoustic effect.

    Example

    The loud crack of thunder made everyone jump.

    Example

    The silence of the woods was shattered by the sharp crack of a dry branch snapping underfoot.
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  1. 3 an attempt (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a try or an attempt at doing something.

    an attempt or try at a particular activity, often used with the verb 'have' or 'take'.

    Example

    I've never played this game before, but I'll have a crack at it.

    Example

    Despite her lack of experience in marketing, she decided to take a crack at designing the new campaign herself.

    Usage

    Usually appears in the phrases 'have a crack at' or 'take a crack at'.
  2. 4 fun or conversation (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English Dialect

    fun, entertainment, or good conversation with friends.

    social interaction characterized by fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation.

    Example

    We went to the pub for the music and the great crack.

    Example

    The evening was full of good crack, with stories and laughter lasting well into the night.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is specifically associated with Irish and Northern English culture; it is often spelled 'craic' in an Irish context.
  3. 5 to break slightly (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to break something just enough that thin lines appear on the surface.

    to cause a fissure to appear in a solid object without complete separation of the parts.

    Example

    The heat caused the old stone walls to crack.

    Example

    If you pour boiling water into a cold glass, the sudden temperature change will likely crack it.
  4. 6 to solve (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to find the answer to a very difficult problem or code.

    to find a solution to a complex problem or to decipher a code or security system.

    Example

    It took the team three weeks to crack the secret code.

    Example

    Detectives finally managed to crack the case after a new witness came forward with crucial information.
  5. 7 to yield under pressure (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to lose control or give up because of too much stress or questioning.

    to suffer a mental or physical breakdown, or to yield under intense psychological pressure or interrogation.

    Example

    The suspect started to crack after hours of questioning by the police.

    Example

    Under the immense pressure of the championship final, the young athlete finally began to crack.
  6. 8 to tell a joke (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to say something funny or tell a joke.

    to utter a witty or humorous remark, typically used with 'joke' or 'smile'.

    Example

    He is always cracking jokes to make people feel better.

    Example

    Even in the middle of a crisis, she managed to crack a smile and keep the team's spirits up.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the collocations 'crack a joke' or 'crack a smile'.
  7. 9 to open slightly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to open a door or window just a little bit.

    to open a door, window, or lid a small amount.

    Example

    Could you crack the window a bit to let some fresh air in?

    Example

    He cracked the door open just enough to peer into the hallway without being seen.
    • ajar
  8. 10 highly skilled (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    describing a person or team that is the best and very well trained.

    possessing great skill, agility, or excellence; typically used to describe elite military or professional units.

    Example

    The government sent in a crack team of experts to handle the emergency.

    Example

    A crack squad of paratroopers was deployed to secure the airfield before the main force arrived.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
Etymology 1

From Middle English crakken, craken, from Old English cracian (“to resound, crack”), from Proto-West Germanic krakōn, from Proto-Germanic krakōną (“to crack, crackle, shriek”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gerh₂- (“to resound, cry hoarsely”). Cognate with Scots crak (“to crack”), West Frisian kreakje (“to crack”), Dutch kraken (“to crunch, creak, squeak”), Low German kraken (“to crack”), German krachen (“to crash, crack, creak”), Lithuanian gi̇̀rgžděti (“to creak, squeak”), Old Armenian կարկաչ (karkačʻ), Sanskrit गर्जति (gárjati, “to roar, hum”). Compare typologically English crevice (<< Latin crepō), Bulgarian пукнатина (puknatina) (akin to пу́кам (púkam)), Russian тре́щина (tréščina) (akin to треск (tresk)), щель (ščelʹ) (akin to щёлкать (ščólkatʹ)).

Etymology 2

Slang first attested 1793, perhaps from the verb in the sense of doing something quickly or with intelligence, or in the sense of "speaking boastingly" and having something to be proud of.

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