ENGLISH
REFERENCE

snapped

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈsnæpt// UK //snˈæpt// snapped

v. to break suddenly with a sharp sound. It can also mean to lose your patience and start shouting because you are stressed.

v. to break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound; to lose self-control or patience under psychological pressure.


SIMPLE

The dry branch snapped when I stepped on it.

CONTEXTUAL

After working sixteen hours without a break, the manager finally snapped at his assistant over a small mistake.

COMPLEX

The tension in the cable increased until the steel fibers snapped, sending the heavy equipment crashing to the warehouse floor.

Synonyms
Usage

Can be used intransitively to describe a break, or transitively when an object is broken. When describing a loss of temper, it often takes the preposition 'at' followed by a person.

Pitfall

He snapped with meHe snapped at meWhen the verb means to lose one's temper and speak sharply, it takes the preposition 'at' rather than 'with'.

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