snap to

snap to (attention)

1. To suddenly or abruptly begin paying attention. I was lost in a daydream, but I snapped to when the teacher called my name. The kids snapped to attention when I slammed the ladle down on the kitchen table.

2. To quickly assume military attention. You become trained to snap to attention when a superior officer enters the room.

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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!

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snap to

Move swiftly and smartly to an action, as in The troops snapped to attention. This phrase is sometimes expanded to snap to it, as in You'd better snap to it if we're going to finish today. [Early 1900s]

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snap to

v.

To pay attention or begin complying suddenly: The troops snapped to attention when the general appeared.

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snap to

verb

See snap to attention

See also: snap