1 [I,T] to break or to make sth break so that a line appears on the surface, but without breaking into pieces (使)出现裂口或裂缝:
Don't put boiling water into that glass -- it'll crack.不要把滚热的水倒进去,那玻璃杯会裂的。The stone cracked the windscreen but didn't break it.那石块打裂了挡风玻璃,但没有把它砸碎。☞picture at chip 见chip插图
2 [T] to break sth open 打破;砸开:
Crack two eggs into a bowl.将两个鸡蛋打进碗里。
3 [I,T] to make a sudden loud, sharp sound; to cause sth to make this sound (使)发出劈啪声:
to crack a whip/your knuckles啪啪地甩鞭子;拧指关节
4 [T] to hit a part of your body against sth; to hit sb with sth (身体部份)撞到,碰到(某物):
She stood up and cracked her head on the cupboard door.她站起来,头撞着橱柜的门。She cracked the thief over the head with her umbrella.她用雨伞敲窃贼的脑袋。
5 [I] to no longer be able to deal with pressure and so lose control (由于不能应付压力而)精神崩溃,失控:
He cracked under the strain of all his problems.他在问题重重的压力下精神崩溃了。
6 [I] (used about sb's voice) to suddenly change in a way that is not controlled (指某人的声音)变粗,发哑:
Her voice cracked as she spoke about her parent's death.她说到父母去世时,声音沙哑了。
7 [T] (informal 非正式) to solve a problem 解决(某个问题):
to crack a code破译密码The police have cracked an international drug-smuggling ring.警方破获了一个国际毒品走私集团。
8 [T] to tell or make a joke 说笑话;开玩笑:
Stop cracking jokes and do some work!别再开玩笑了,干点活吧!
get cracking (Brit 英) (informal 非正式) to start doing sth immediately 立即行动:
I have to finish this job today so I'd better get cracking.我今天得完成这工作,所以最好还是马上开始。crack down (on sb/sth) (used about people in authority) to start dealing strictly with bad or illegal behaviour (指掌握权力者)严办,严惩,严厉对待(不良或违法的人或行为):
The police have started to crack down on drug dealers.警方已经开始严厉打击毒贩。crack up
1 (informal 非正式) to be unable to deal with pressure and so lose control and become mentally ill (由于不能应付压力而)失控,精神崩溃:
He cracked up when his wife left him.他的妻子一离开他,他便精神崩溃。
2 (slang 俚语) to suddenly start laughing, especially when you should be serious 突然大笑(尤指在应该严肃的时候)
*crack²
/kræk ||; kræk/noun
1 [C] a line on the surface of sth where it has broken, but not into separate pieces 裂缝;裂口:
a pane of glass with a crack in it有一处裂缝的窗玻璃 (figurative 比喻)They had always seemed happy together, but then cracks began to appear in their relationship.他们似乎一直相亲相爱,然后他们的关系开始出现裂缝。☞picture at chip 见chip插图
2 [C] a narrow opening 窄缝;狭长的开口:
a crack in the curtains窗帘间的缝隙
3 [C] a sudden loud, sharp sound 劈啪声;爆裂声:
There was a loud crack as the gun went off.开炮了,发出砰的一声巨响。
4 [C] a hard hit on a part of the body 猛烈的一击:
Suddenly a golf ball gave him a nasty crack on the head.突然之间,一个高尔夫球猛然打在他头上,难受极了。
5 [C] (informal 非正式) an amusing, often critical, comment; a joke 俏皮话;笑话:
She made a crack about his bald head and he got angry.她拿他的秃头开玩笑,使他生气。
6 [U] a dangerous and illegal drug that some people take for pleasure and cannot then stop taking 强效纯可卡因;强效纯古柯碱
the crack of dawn very early in the morning 破晓;黎明
have a crack (at sth/at doing sth)(informal 非正式) to try to do sth 尝试:
I'm not sure how to play but I'll have a crack at it.我不知道怎样玩,但我想试一试。
crack³
/kræk ||; kræk/adj
(used about soldiers or sports players) very well trained and skilful (指士兵或运动员)训练有素的,技术精湛的:
crack troops精锐部队He's a crack shot (= very accurate at shooting) with a rifle.他打步枪是个神射手。