snake

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a person you cannot trust because they are dishonest or mean.

n. a person who acts deceitfully or treacherously, especially one who pretends to be a friend.

“I thought he was my friend, but he's a total snake who told everyone my secrets.”

“In the high-stakes world of corporate mergers, he earned a reputation as a snake who would betray any partner for a higher profit margin.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Technical

n. a long, flexible wire used to clear blocked pipes or drains.

n. a flexible steel cable used by plumbers to dislodge obstructions in piping systems.

“The sink was badly blocked, so I had to use a plumbing snake to clear it.”

“When the chemical cleaners failed to dissolve the clog, the maintenance crew resorted to a heavy-duty motorized snake.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Cooking British English · Dialect

n. a long, chewy sweet made of jelly in the shape of a snake.

n. a variety of gummy or gelatin-based confectionery shaped like a serpent.

“The children bought a bag of jelly snakes at the cinema.”

“The party bags were filled with assorted treats, including bright green gummy snakes and chocolate coins.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to move or go in a winding way with many curves.

v. to follow a twisting or winding path; to move with a sinuous motion.

“The narrow road snakes up the side of the mountain.”

“The river snakes through the valley, creating fertile floodplains that have been farmed for centuries.”

C1 · Advanced Slang · Informal

v. to take something quickly and secretly.

v. to steal something in a sly or surreptitious manner.

“Someone snaked my sandwich from the office fridge while I was in a meeting.”

“He managed to snake the last remaining ticket just as the box office was about to close for the night.”