# snap at

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/snap-at
Updated: 2026-10-23

## Definition

to speak to someone in a sudden, angry, or impatient way. You often do this when you are tired or stressed.

For teachers: to speak to someone sharply or irritably, typically without warning. The verb is transitive and requires the preposition 'at' to link to the person being addressed.

## Examples

- I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier; I was just tired.
- The manager was so stressed about the deadline that he snapped at his assistant for a minor mistake.
- Exhausted by the relentless questioning, the witness finally snapped at the prosecutor, demanding to be left in peace.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He snapped to me because he was angry." but "He snapped at me because he was angry." — the verb 'snap' requires the preposition 'at' when directed toward a person.

## Usage notes

- usually directed at a person; the tone is sharp and brief rather than a long argument.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'yell at' (loudness) and 'scold' (authority/length); 'snap at' emphasizes the suddenness and the speaker's loss of patience.

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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.