crack
crack — verb
1. if a hard surface like glass, bone, or dry earth cracks, or if a person or thing
if a hard surface like glass, bone, or dry earth cracks, or if a person or thing cracks it, fine visible lines form on the outside while the object stays in one piece
The old mirror in the hallway cracked after the door slammed against it.
intransitive: crack + [cause]
Layla noticed the paint had cracked on the ceiling above her desk.
A rock hit the windshield and cracked the glass in front of the driver.
transitive: crack + [object]
When the soil gets too dry during summer, it often cracks in several places.
- crack under the weight
- crack from the heat
- crack in the wall
- cracked glass
- cracked mirror
Grammar Patterns
crack
crack something
crack + adjunct of cause
Usage Note
Often used with an adjunct explaining the cause — crack under [weight/pressure/heat], crack from [impact/dryness].
Common Mistakes
2. if someone cracks after a long period of difficulty or stress, they become menta
if someone cracks after a long period of difficulty or stress, they become mentally or physically unable to continue functioning normally
After weeks of working fifteen-hour days without a break, Hari finally cracked under the strain.
crack under the strain
The constant pressure from both family and work caused Élise to crack.
cause [someone] to crack
Some soldiers who experience too much combat stress crack and need immediate medical support.
Obi knew he was close to cracking when he could no longer sleep at night.
close to cracking
- crack under pressure
- crack under the strain
- crack from stress
- collapse
more general; can be physical, mental, or structural
- break down
often implies a more dramatic emotional episode
- snap
sudden and complete loss of control, more informal
Grammar Patterns
crack (under [pressure/strain/tension])
crack + and + [result clause]
Usage Note
Frequently followed by under + [strain/pressure/tension]. The subject is always a person or group of people; not used for machines or systems.
Common Mistakes
3. if a system, business, or organization cracks, it stops working or fails because
if a system, business, or organization cracks, it stops working or fails because of serious problems or outside pressure
The company's old security system finally cracked after years of repeated cyber attacks.
Without proper government funding, the public health programme slowly began to crack.
intransitive: [system/organisation] + begin to crack
When the main hospital server cracked, doctors could not access any patient records.
Diya worried that the water supply system would crack if the drought continued.
[system] + would crack + if [condition]
- security system cracks
- programme begins to crack
- alliance cracks
- collapse
more sudden and complete failure
- fail
more general and neutral
- break down
implies gradual loss of function
- hold
to continue functioning despite pressure
- stand firm
to remain strong under challenge
Grammar Patterns
crack
begin to crack
crack under [pressure/weight]
Usage Note
Used metaphorically for systems, institutions, or processes, not for emotional states. Distinguish from sense 2 (MENTAL BREAKDOWN — for people) and sense 4 (GIVE IN — voluntary surrender).
4. if someone cracks in a difficult situation, they lose their emotional control an
if someone cracks in a difficult situation, they lose their emotional control and give up or admit the truth, especially after pressure or questioning
The police questioned the suspect for six hours before he finally cracked and confessed.
During the tough negotiation, one lawyer cracked and accepted all of the other side's demands.
crack + and + [consequence]
After three days without proper sleep, the captured soldier cracked and revealed his unit's location.
João warned his team not to crack when the client started making unreasonable demands.
warn [someone] not to crack
- crack under interrogation
- crack and confess
- finally crack
- refuse to crack
- give in
more general; can be about any kind of surrender, not just under pressure
- confess
specifically about admitting guilt or truth
- capitulate
formal; surrendering after resistance
- hold out
to continue resisting
- stand firm
to refuse to give in
Grammar Patterns
crack (under [pressure])
crack + and + [action of surrender]
Usage Note
Often describes a specific moment of surrender under interrogation, negotiation, or punishment. Distinguish from sense 2 (MENTAL BREAKDOWN — general inability to function, not necessarily involving confession or surrender).
Common Mistakes
5. to forcefully break the outer shell or casing of something like a nut, an egg, o
to forcefully break the outer shell or casing of something like a nut, an egg, or a locked box so that you can take out what is inside
Ari cracked the walnut with a small hammer and picked out the meat inside.
transitive: crack + [nut/food]
The burglars cracked the safe and took all the cash and jewellery inside.
My grandmother always cracks two eggs into the bowl when she bakes a cake.
collocation: crack an egg
Owen cracked open a cold drink and sat down to watch the football game.
crack open [a drink/bottle]
- crack an egg
- crack a nut
- crack a safe
- crack open a bottle
- crack open
emphasises the action of separating the outer shell
- break open
more general; can be used for any container
- split
suggests a cleaner separation along a line
Grammar Patterns
crack something open
crack + [object with a hard shell/container]
Usage Note
Often used as crack open (+ object) for nuts, eggs, or containers. For bottles or drinks, use crack open rather than just crack.
Common Mistakes
6. to get into a computer system, network, or encrypted data without permission, us
to get into a computer system, network, or encrypted data without permission, usually to steal information, cause damage, or prove a skill
A teenage hacker managed to crack the university's database and steal personal records.
The company hired a security expert to see if anyone could crack their network.
transitive: crack + [network/system]
Law enforcement agencies now have special tools to crack encrypted messages quickly.
The security team found evidence that someone had tried to crack their email system.
try to crack + [system]
- crack a password
- crack a code
- crack into a system
- crack encryption
- crack the network
- hack
more common general term for breaking into systems
- breach
more formal; often used in security contexts
- compromise
formal; implies the system's security was weakened
Grammar Patterns
crack + [computer system/network/code/password]
Usage Note
Informal computing term. More formal alternatives include breach or compromise. In everyday British English, hack is more common than crack for this sense.
Common Mistakes
7. to make unauthorized copies of computer programs, films, or music, typically by
to make unauthorized copies of computer programs, films, or music, typically by removing or bypassing their copyright protection systems
Dario cracked the game so his cousin could play it on his laptop.
crack + game/software/app (direct object)
The police arrested a man who had cracked thousands of songs and sold them online.
Shirin warned her classmates that cracking movies from streaming sites breaks the law.
cracking + movie/song as gerund subject
Running a website that offers cracked programs can lead to heavy fines.
passive participle: cracked programs (adjective-like use)
- crack software
- crack a game
- crack a program
- crack songs
- crack movies
Grammar Patterns
crack + noun phrase (software/movie/song)
Usage Note
Commonly used in the context of digital piracy. The adjective form 'cracked' (e.g. 'cracked software') is also frequent and carries the same meaning.
Common Mistakes
8. to succeed in understanding a difficult puzzle, code, or crime by finding its hi
to succeed in understanding a difficult puzzle, code, or crime by finding its hidden meaning or solution
A team of spies worked all night to crack the enemy's secret code.
crack + code/password/cipher
It took the detective nearly two years to crack the murder case.
Élise cracked the last puzzle of the game just before the time ran out.
Minho believed that cracking the problem of ocean plastic would need new ideas.
crack + problem/difficulty (abstract object)
- crack a code
- crack a case
- crack a mystery
- crack a puzzle
- crack the problem
Grammar Patterns
crack + noun (code/case/mystery/problem)
Usage Note
Subject is typically a person or group engaged in intellectual effort. The object is usually something hidden or mysterious (a code, a case, a puzzle), not a routine question.
Common Mistakes
9. to strike someone or something with a sudden, hard blow, often producing a sharp
to strike someone or something with a sudden, hard blow, often producing a sharp sound
The tree branch cracked Reuben across the back as it swung down.
crack + person + across + body part
Heloísa cracked her elbow against the door frame and shouted in pain.
The baseball cracked Jin on the shoulder before he could raise his glove.
A delivery driver cracked his knee against the back of the truck.
- crack someone across the face/back/head
- crack against the door/wall/table
Grammar Patterns
crack + someone/something + on/against + body part/object
Usage Note
Typically describes an accidental or forceful impact. The sound is an important part of the meaning — this is not used for a silent or gentle tap.
10. to produce a short explosive sound, or to cause an object to make such a noise
to produce a short explosive sound, or to cause an object to make such a noise
The lion tamer cracked his whip and the lions jumped onto their stools.
transitive: crack + whip
Amira heard the ice crack beneath her feet and quickly stepped back.
intransitive: ice/wood/ground + cracks
Gabriel cracked his knuckles before he started typing his report.
The fireworks cracked loudly in the dark sky above the waiting crowd.
- crack a whip
- crack one's knuckles
- crack one's joints
- ice cracks
- floorboards crack
Grammar Patterns
transitive: crack + noun (whip/knuckles); intransitive: noun + cracks (ice/whip/firework)
Usage Note
Both transitive and intransitive uses are equally common. The sound is sharp and brief — not a continuous noise. 'Crack a whip' and 'crack one's knuckles' are fixed collocations.
11. when a person's voice changes pitch suddenly and without control because of a st
when a person's voice changes pitch suddenly and without control because of a strong feeling
Ishaan's voice cracked with emotion as he read the letter from his daughter.
voice + crack + with + emotion/nerves/grief
The singer's voice cracked during the high note and the audience gasped.
Mira fought back tears but her voice cracked when she said goodbye.
Christopher's voice cracked with nerves during his first speech in front of the class.
- voice cracks with emotion
- voice cracks with nerves
- voice cracks from crying
- voice cracks mid-sentence
Grammar Patterns
voice + cracks + with + emotion (emotion/nerves/sorrow)
Usage Note
Only intransitive. The subject is always a voice or related noun (his voice, her voice, the speaker's voice). This sense is different from 'a voice that sounds rough from illness' — cracking here means a sudden break in pitch, not hoarseness.
Common Mistakes
12. to say something humorous or witty, typically in a quick and offhand manner
to say something humorous or witty, typically in a quick and offhand manner
My uncle is always cracking jokes at dinner and making everyone laugh.
collocation: crack a joke
Reuben cracked a joke about the food and everyone at the table laughed.
The comedian cracked several jokes during the show, but not all of them worked.
During the meeting, the manager cracked a joke about the broken printer.
transitive: crack + a joke + about + topic
- crack a joke
- crack jokes
- crack a witty remark
- tell a joke
more neutral in register; 'crack a joke' sounds quicker and more spontaneous
- quip
more formal and literary; suggests a short, clever remark rather than a structured joke
Grammar Patterns
crack + a joke
crack + funny remark/witty comment
Usage Note
Almost always used with the object 'a joke' or 'jokes'. 'Crack a joke' is a fixed collocation — it is far more common than the synonymous 'tell a joke' in informal speech.
Common Mistakes
13. to use heat to break down the large hydrocarbon molecules in crude oil into smal
to use heat to break down the large hydrocarbon molecules in crude oil into smaller, more useful ones such as petrol or diesel
The refinery cracks crude oil into petrol, diesel, and jet fuel every day.
transitive: crack crude oil into [products]
Heavy oil cracked under high heat produces chemicals used for making plastics.
passive: oil + is cracked under high heat
Luca studied how engineers crack petroleum into lighter fuels at the industrial plant.
The new cracking unit can process over sixty thousand barrels each day.
noun form: cracking unit
Without cracking, thick crude oil would be too heavy to use as vehicle fuel.
- crack crude oil
- crack petroleum
- crack hydrocarbons
- crack into petrol
- cracking process
Grammar Patterns
crack [crude oil / petroleum] into [products]
crude oil / petroleum cracks into [products]
Usage Note
Technical term used in the petroleum and chemical engineering industries. The process itself is known as cracking or fluid catalytic cracking. Not encountered in everyday conversation.
Common Mistakes
14. to succeed at getting into a field, organisation, or level of achievement that h
to succeed at getting into a field, organisation, or level of achievement that has been very hard to reach, either because of rules, tradition, or bias
Lotte became the first woman to crack the all-male board of directors at the bank.
transitive: crack + [exclusive group]
After years of effort, Samir finally cracked the Japanese market with his software product.
The new streaming service struggled to crack a market already controlled by two big companies.
Hyun cracked the top ten rankings for the first time in her professional tennis career.
collocation: crack the top [ranking]
Young designers from smaller countries often find it hardest to crack the international fashion industry.
crack + [industry] following [adjective] + find it hardest to
- crack the market
- crack the glass ceiling
- crack the top ten
- crack the barriers
- crack an industry
- break into
phrasal verb, slightly more informal
- penetrate
more formal; suggests a forceful entry
- enter
neutral; does not imply difficulty
- be excluded from
to be kept out of a group or field
- fail to enter
to be unsuccessful at gaining access
Grammar Patterns
crack + [barrier / market / glass ceiling / top ranking]
Usage Note
Commonly used with nouns such as market, barrier, glass ceiling, or top [ranking / ten / hundred]. The object is always something that was difficult to enter or achieve. Less common with concrete physical objects.
Common Mistakes
crack down
phrasal verbTo take strong action to stop or control something, especially illegal activity.
The police cracked down on street racing last weekend.
Schools are cracking down on cheating during exams.
crack on
phrasal verbTo continue doing something with energy and determination.
Despite the rain, the workers cracked on with the building.
We cracked on with our studies after a short break.
crack on to
phrasal verbTo try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone.
Diego cracked on to his colleague at the party.
She felt uncomfortable when a stranger cracked on to her at the bar.
crack up
phrasal verbTo suddenly laugh a lot, or to cause someone to laugh a lot.
The comedian's joke made the audience crack up.
Aiden cracked up when he saw the funny video.
crack the whip
idiomTo use your authority to make people work very hard, often by being strict.
The new manager cracks the whip to meet the deadline.
Did the coach crack the whip during practice yesterday?
crack wise
idiomTo make jokes or humorous comments.
Maya loves to crack wise during lunch breaks.
He cracked wise about the broken printer, making everyone laugh.
get cracking
idiomTo start doing something immediately and with energy.
We need to get cracking on the project now.
Sara got cracking on her homework right after dinner.
A problem or situation that is very difficult to solve or deal with.
This math problem is a tough nut to crack.
Finding a cure for the disease is a hard nut to crack.
Not as good as people claim or believe.
The new restaurant is not all it's cracked up to be.
That movie was not everything it was cracked up to be.
To use much more force or effort than is needed for a task.
Sending a dozen workers to fix a small leak is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut when a simple tool works?
crack — noun
1. a thin line or narrow gap that appears on a surface when something has broken sl
a thin line or narrow gap that appears on a surface when something has broken slightly without coming apart
Romi noticed a long crack in the bathroom mirror after dropping a bottle near it.
collocation: crack in [surface]
Water leaked through a tiny crack in the old stone wall behind the kitchen sink.
The earthquake left a deep crack running across the road outside their apartment building.
subject: natural force causing crack
Noor touched the crack in the wooden table and felt its rough edge.
Repair a crack in the ceiling before the rainy season makes it worse.
- crack in the wall
- crack in the glass
- hairline crack
- deep crack
- repair a crack
Grammar Patterns
there is a crack in [something]
Usage Note
Often paired with 'in' to specify which surface the crack appears on. A crack is shallower and narrower than a 'break' or 'split'.
Common Mistakes
2. the narrow gap created when a door or window is moved just a little away from it
the narrow gap created when a door or window is moved just a little away from its closed position
Lotte opened the window a crack to let fresh air into the stuffy bedroom.
pattern: open [something] a crack
The cat slipped through the door when Benjamin left it open just a crack.
Morning light came through the curtain where Lara had pulled it apart a crack.
Yael sleeps with the bedroom door open a crack so the hallway light shines in.
pattern: leave [something] open a crack
- open a crack
- leave a crack open
- slide a crack
- pull a crack
Grammar Patterns
open [something] a crack
leave [something] a crack open
Usage Note
Almost always used in the phrase 'open [something] a crack' or '[something] is open a crack', where 'a crack' functions as an adverb of degree. Do not use 'a crack' as a standalone noun for this meaning.
3. a sudden, short, sharp sound like that of something breaking or a whip hitting a
a sudden, short, sharp sound like that of something breaking or a whip hitting a surface
A loud crack of thunder woke Nia from a deep sleep around three.
collocation: crack of thunder
The branch came down with a sharp crack and landed on the garden bench.
pattern: with a [adjective] crack
Jisoo heard the crack of the bat and knew the ball was a home run.
collocation: crack of [object hitting]
There was a sudden crack as the ice beneath Brian's boots began to break apart.
Ari flinched at the crack of the starting pistol during the school sports day.
- crack of thunder
- crack of a whip
- crack of a bat
- sharp crack
- loud crack
- with a crack
Grammar Patterns
a crack of [something]
with a crack
Usage Note
This sense describes a short, dry, explosive sound — distinct from 'bang' (louder, deeper) or 'snap' (softer, higher-pitched). Often used with 'of' to identify the source of the sound.
4. an occasion when someone tries to do something, often for the first time or in a
an occasion when someone tries to do something, often for the first time or in a new situation
Ritu had never baked a cake but decided to have a crack at it for her mother's birthday.
pattern: have a crack at [something]
The manager asked if anyone wanted to take a crack at the payment system issue.
pattern: take a crack at [something]
Noor gave rock climbing a crack on holiday and discovered a new hobby.
pattern: give [something] a crack
Brian watched some videos and had a crack at fixing his broken bicycle chain.
- have a crack at
- take a crack at
- give it a crack
- first crack
Grammar Patterns
have a crack at [something]
give [something] a crack
take a crack at [something]
Usage Note
Always appears in fixed phrases like 'have a crack at', 'take a crack at', or 'give [something] a crack'. The object is whatever is being attempted. Common in everyday British, Australian, and New Zealand English.
Common Mistakes
5. a powerfully addictive substance processed from cocaine, usually smoked in small
a powerfully addictive substance processed from cocaine, usually smoked in small crystals and illegal in most countries
The documentary showed how smoking crack can destroy a person's health quickly.
collocation: smoke crack
The city opened a new treatment centre to help people who became addicted to crack.
collocation: addicted to crack
Police arrested three people for selling crack near the school playground last Thursday night.
A health campaign warned teenagers about the dangers of crack cocaine.
term: crack cocaine
- crack cocaine
- smoke crack
- crack addict
- crack pipe
- addicted to crack
- sell crack
- crack cocaine
the full, more formal name for this substance
Grammar Patterns
smoke crack
crack addict
crack cocaine
Usage Note
This sense refers specifically to crack cocaine, a smokable form processed from cocaine hydrochloride. It is chemically different from powdered cocaine and carries greater social stigma due to its association with severe addiction.
6. a word used in Ireland to describe enjoyable social time, lively conversation, a
a word used in Ireland to describe enjoyable social time, lively conversation, and a fun atmosphere among friends
The pub had live music that night, and the crack was brilliant until closing time.
pattern: the crack was [adjective]
Lara asked her colleagues where to find good crack in Dublin on a Friday.
collocation: good crack
The wedding had singing and dancing, and everyone said the crack was mighty.
At the festival, a local asked Benjamin, "What's the crack?"
phrase: what's the crack?
- good crack
- the crack was great
- what's the crack?
- mighty crack
- craic
the preferred modern Irish spelling
- fun
general term, less tied to Irish social culture
- entertainment
more formal, broader in meaning
Grammar Patterns
the crack was [adjective]
good crack
what's the crack?
Usage Note
This is the standard Irish English spelling 'craic', though it is often written as 'crack' in informal writing. It refers to atmosphere and entertainment — not to drugs or damage. The phrase 'what's the crack?' means 'how are things?' or 'what's happening?'. Avoid confusing this with any other sense of 'crack'.
Common Mistakes
7. a technique or piece of software that lets someone enter a protected computer or
a technique or piece of software that lets someone enter a protected computer or network without permission in order to access data or carry out illegal actions
The security team found a crack that allowed outsiders to read private emails.
a crack + that-clause describing the exploit
Faisal downloaded a crack from a forum and tested it on his own server.
The company spent thousands fixing a crack in its payment system.
a crack in [system]
Many older websites had a well-known crack that hackers could use easily.
- a crack in the system
- discover a crack
- use a crack
- fix a crack
- exploit
a more technical term used by security professionals
- backdoor
a specific kind of secret entry method
- vulnerability
a weakness in a system that a crack can target
- patch
a software fix that removes a crack or vulnerability
Grammar Patterns
a crack (for [system])
use a crack
Usage Note
A countable noun used mainly in informal computing contexts. The more general term for the action is hack or exploit. Distinguish from verb sense 6 (HACK A SYSTEM — the action of breaking in), which is also computing slang.
Common Mistakes
8. a short, clever, and often slightly critical comment that someone makes during a
a short, clever, and often slightly critical comment that someone makes during a conversation in order to be amusing or make a point
Kwame made a crack about the terrible cafeteria food, and everyone laughed.
make a crack about [topic]
Stephanie's crack about the team's slow progress embarrassed the manager.
A harmless crack about a colleague's haircut can still hurt their feelings.
Brandon could not resist a crack about the broken printer during the meeting.
could not resist a crack about [topic]
- make a crack
- a crack about
- aim a crack at
- a harmless crack
- compliment
a positive remark with no critical edge
Grammar Patterns
make a crack (about [topic])
Usage Note
Usually paired with the verb make — make a crack (about something). Slightly more critical than a joke; a crack often targets a specific person, situation, or flaw. Do not confuse with crack meaning 'joke' in general — crack is shorter and sharper.
Common Mistakes
crack — adjective
1. describes a person or thing that is exceptionally skilful or top-grade — for exa
describes a person or thing that is exceptionally skilful or top-grade — for example, a sports team, a military unit, or a performer who ranks among the very best.
A crack team of surgeons performed the operation at Tōkyō University Hospital.
crack + noun (team of professionals)
Zayd is a crack shot — he won the national title three years in a row.
crack + noun (shot = expert marksman)
The general put together a crack unit of experienced soldiers for the rescue mission.
crack + noun (military unit)
Élise has a crack team of designers who create her fashion line every season.
- crack shot
- crack team
- crack unit
- crack regiment
- crack player
- elite
more formal; used for groups rather than individuals ('an elite unit').
- top
broader meaning; less dramatic than 'crack' ('a top player').
- first-rate
slightly more formal; can be used predicatively ('this team is first-rate').
- expert
focuses on skill level rather than quality ('an expert pilot').
- mediocre
opposite in quality ('a mediocre team').
- second-rate
direct opposite, same register ('a second-rate unit').
Grammar Patterns
crack + noun
Usage Note
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Describes people or groups with exceptional skill. Common in British English in phrases such as 'crack shot' (expert marksman), 'crack regiment,' or 'crack team.' Not used in American English in this sense.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- crackernounB2
- crackingadjectiveB2
- crackingnounC1
- crackedadjectiveB1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
A crack is a narrow line that appears on a surface without the object falling apart — think of a cracked mirror you can still see your reflection in. To break means the object separates into pieces or stops working; breaking is more severe than cracking. A cracked vase might still hold water; a broken vase cannot. To split implies a cleaner, longer separation along a natural line — splitting wood along the grain, or splitting a team into groups. Fracture is the most formal and clinical term, used especially for bones and hard materials (a fractured femur, fractured rock). Use crack for fine surface lines, break for full separation, split for cutting along a plane, and fracture for formal or medical contexts.
Common collocations
Adverbs
- crack under pressure
- crack eventually
- crack slowly
- crack finally
- crack easily
Phrases
- a crack in the armour
- at the crack of dawn
- crack a smile (informal)
- get cracking (informal, British)
- a tough nut to crack
- not all it's cracked up to be
- crack down (on)
- paper over the cracks
- fall through the cracks
Prepositions
- crack in [surface]
- crack on [surface]
- crack into [system/market]
- crack open [container]
- crack under [pressure/strain/weight]
- crack from [heat/impact/dryness]
Nouns modified by crack
- crack team
- crack shot
- crack unit
- crack cocaine
Verbs with crack object
- crack a joke
- crack a code
- crack a case
- crack a nut
- crack an egg
- crack a safe
- crack a whip
- crack a password
- crack the market
- crack the glass ceiling
- crack someone's skull (informal)
Verbs with crack subject
- paint cracks
- ice cracks
- voice cracks
- the system cracks
- the foundation cracks
Etymology
English crack comes from Old English cracian (to make a sharp noise), from a common Germanic root also found in Middle Dutch craken and German krachen. The core sense of a surface breaking without separating emerged in Middle English (1300s). The meaning extended metaphorically to mental collapse (1500s), then to cracking codes and solving puzzles (1600s). The adjective sense meaning "top-quality" comes from 18th-century British slang, originally describing boastful talk ("crack" as a noun for a tall tale). The computing senses (hacking, pirating software) date from the 1980s, and "crack cocaine" is named for the popping sound it makes when heated.