crack
crack
(krăk) verb
cracked,
cracking, cracks
verb
, intransitive
1.
To break or snap apart.
2.
To make a sharp, snapping sound.
3.
To break without complete separation of parts; fissure: The mirror cracked.
4.
To change sharply in pitch or timbre, as from hoarseness or emotion. Used of the voice.
5.
To break down; fail: The defendant's composure finally began to crack.
6.
To have a mental or physical breakdown: cracked under the pressure.
7.
To move or go rapidly: was cracking along at 70 miles an hour.
8.
Chemistry. To break into simpler molecules by means of heat.
verb
, transitive
1.
To cause to make a sharp, snapping sound.
2.
To cause to break without complete separation of parts: cracked the glass.
3.
a. To break with a sharp, snapping sound. See synonyms at break. b. To crush (corn or wheat, for example) into small pieces.
4.
To strike with a sudden, sharp sound.
5.
Informal. a. To break open or into: crack a safe. b. To open up for use or consumption: crack a book; cracked a beer. c. To break through (an obstacle) in order to win acceptance or acknowledgement: finally cracked the "men-only" rule at the club.
6.
To discover the solution to, especially after considerable effort: crack a code.
7.
To cause (the voice) to crack.
8.
Informal. To tell (a joke), especially on impulse or in an effective manner.
9. To cause to have a mental or physical breakdown.
10. To impair or destroy: Their rude remarks cracked his equanimity.
11. To reduce (petroleum) to simpler compounds by cracking.
noun
1.
A sharp, snapping sound, such as the report of a firearm.
2.
a. A partial split or break; a fissure. b. A slight, narrow space: The window was open a crack.
3. A sharp, resounding blow.
4. a. A mental or physical impairment; a defect. b. A breaking, harshly dissonant vocal tone or sound, as in hoarseness.
5. An attempt or try: gave him a crack at the job; took a crack at photography.
6. A witty or sarcastic remark. See synonyms at joke.
7. A moment; an instant: at the crack of dawn.
8. Slang. Chemically purified, very potent cocaine in pellet form that is smoked through a glass pipe and is considered highly and rapidly addictive.
adjective
Excelling in skill or achievement; first-rate: a crack shot; a crack tennis player.
phrasal verb.
crack down
To act more forcefully to regulate, repress, or restrain: The police cracked down on speeding. crack up Informal
1.
To praise highly: He was simply not the genius he was cracked up to be.
2.
a. To damage or wreck (a vehicle or vessel): crack up a plane; crack up a boat. b. To wreck a vehicle in an accident: cracked up on the expressway.
3. To have a mental or physical breakdown.
4. To experience or cause to experience a great deal of amusement: really cracked up when I heard that joke.
idiom.
crack the whip
To behave in a domineering manner; demand hard work and efficiency from those under one's control.
[Middle English craken, from Old English cracian.]