crack
He tried to crack the safe but failed.
He attempted to open the safe by breaking it open but was unsuccessful.
To break or split something open, especially suddenly or violently.
The ice cracked under the weight of the car.
The ice broke apart when the car drove over it.
She cracked the eggs into a bowl.
She broke the eggs open into a bowl.
Often implies a sharp, sudden sound accompanying the action.
To solve a difficult problem or code.
They finally cracked the ancient cipher.
They successfully decoded the ancient cipher.
The detective cracked the case in record time.
The detective solved the case very quickly.
Commonly used in contexts involving puzzles, mysteries, or encryption.
A narrow opening or fissure.
A crack of light appeared under the door.
A thin line of light was visible beneath the door.
There was a crack in the wall that needed repair.
The wall had a narrow opening that required fixing.
Can refer to physical gaps or metaphorical openings, such as opportunities.
A sudden sharp sound, like that of a whip.
The crack of the gunshot echoed through the valley.
The sharp sound of the gunshot resonated in the valley.
Often associated with loud, abrupt noises.
A joke or witty remark.
He told a crack about the weather to lighten the mood.
He made a joke about the weather to make people laugh.
Used in social settings to refer to humor.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish between literal and figurative uses
'Crack' can describe physical breaking (e.g., 'The glass cracked') or solving problems (e.g., 'She cracked the puzzle'). Pay attention to context to determine the intended meaning.
Gold Rule
Avoid confusion with 'crack' vs. 'cracker'
'Crack' is the verb/noun being analyzed here. 'Cracker' refers to a thin biscuit or, in some contexts, a person who cracks systems (e.g., a hacker). The meanings are distinct.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'crakken', from Old English 'cracian' (to make a cracking sound), of imitative origin. Related to Dutch 'kraken' and German 'krachen'.
Usage Notes
As a verb, 'crack' can imply both physical breaking and metaphorical solving or failing. As a noun, it often refers to a narrow opening or a sharp sound. In informal contexts, it can mean a joke or clever remark.