snap (redirected from snaps)

bite someone's head off

Fig. to speak sharply and with great anger to someone. (Fixed order.) Don't bite my head off! Be patient. I'm very sorry I lost my tempter. I didn't mean to bite your head off.

See also: bite, head

It's a snap.

Inf. It's really easy to do. Nothing to it. It's a snap. A baby could do it.

snap someone's head off

Fig. to speak very sharply to someone. (Based on snap at someone.) How rude! Don't snap my head off! Mary snapped Ted's head off because he had come in late.

See also: head

snap something back

to cause something to jerk back. The force of the crash snapped his head back and injured his neck. The crash snapped back his head.

See also: back

snap something into something and snap something in

to put or press something into something with an audible snap. Next, you snap this little part into this slot here. snap in these legs then tighten the screws.

snap something off

to break off something brittle. Liz snapped a bit of the rock off and put it in her bag. Carl snapped off a piece of the candy and gave it to Timmy.

snap something on

to attach something to something else, causing an audible snap. Dawn took two pills from the bottle and snapped the lid on. she snapped on the lid.

snap something out of something and snap something out

to remove something from something, causing an audible snap. Jeff snapped the plastic plug out of the socket. He snapped out the plug.

See also: out

snap something up 

1. Lit. to grasp something quickly. Karen snapped her pencil up and strode out of the room. Harry walked through the kitchen and snapped up two cookies on the way.

2. Fig. to purchase something quickly, because the price is low or because the item is so hard to find. (Fig. on {2}.) We put the cheap shirts out for sale this morning and people snapped them up in only a few minutes. They snapped up the bargains quickly.

3. Fig. to believe something eagerly; to believe a lie readily. They are so gullible that you can say anything and they'll snap it up. They will snap up anything that sounds good.

See also: up

snap at someone or something

to bite at someone or something. (See also snap at someone; snap at something.) The dog snapped at my pants leg, but I escaped the attack unharmed. The fox snapped at the chicken and finally caught hold of it. The dog snapped at the judge and was disqualified.

snap at someone

to speak sharply or angrily to someone. (Based on snap at someone or something.) Don't snap at me. What did I do?' Why did you snap at me? I did nothing wrong.

snap at something

Fig. to seize an opportunity. (See also snap at someone or something.) It is such a good deal, I knew you would snap at it. Just as I thought, Ted snapped at my final offer.

snap back (on someone or something)

[for something] to be jerked back onto someone or something. The branch snapped back on Tim and left a welt on his arm. The whip snapped back and stung Tex's hand.

See also: back

snap back (on someone or something)

[for something] to be jerked back onto someone or something. The branch snapped back on Tim and left a welt on his arm. The whip snapped back and stung Tex's hand.

See also: back

snap into something

[for something] to be put or fit into an opening with an audible snap. The larger edge of the card snaps into the slot at the base. This part snaps right into the other part.

snap it up

Inf. Hurry up! John: Come on, Fred. Snap it up! Fred: I'm hurrying! I'm hurrying! Sally: Snap it up! You're going to make us late. John: That's exactly what I had in mind.

See also: up

snap one's cookies

Sl. to vomit; to regurgitate. I think I'm gonna snap my cookies. some jerk snapped his cookies on the sidewalk.

See also: cooky

snap out of something

Fig. to become suddenly freed from a condition. (The condition can be a depression, an illness, unconsciousness, etc.) I was very depressed for a week, but this morning I snapped out of it. It isn't often that a cold gets me down. Usually lean snap out of it quickly.

See also: out

snap to (attention)

Fig. to move quickly to military attention. The troops snapped to attention when they saw the general appear. snap to when I tell you!

snap to it

Inf. Move faster!; Look alert! Bill: Snap to it! Mary: Don't rush me! John: Get in line there. Snap to it! Sally: What is this, the army? You just wait till I'm ready!

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a cold snap

a sudden and short period of cold weather The recent cold snap has led to higher food prices.

See also: cold

bite/snap somebody's head off  (informal)

to answer someone angrily I only asked if I could borrow your bike. There's no need to bite my head off! She snaps his head off every time he opens his mouth.

See also: bite, head

Snap to it!  (British, American & Australian informal) also Snap it up! (American informal)

something that you say to someone when you want them to hurry We're leaving in five minutes so you'd better snap to it. Snap it up, can't you? Surely you've had enough time to write that letter!

See bite head off

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snap out of something

to stop experiencing something, esp. something unpleasant Davis snapped out of a two-year slump to win at the golf tournament.

Usage notes: usually used in the form snap out of it and sometimes given as advice: She's filled with grief, and just can't seem to snap out of it. Are you feeling guilty about not spending time with the kids? Well, snap out of it!

See also: out

snap up something also snap something up

to buy or obtain something as soon as it is available His new thriller is so popular, fans have snapped up copies as fast as bookstores get them. As soon as the World Series tickets went on sale, fans snapped them up.

See also: up