crack

verb (BREAK)

/kræk/

Definition

1. Definition

2. Practise

B2 [T or I] to break something so that it does not separate, but very thin lines appear on its surface, or to become broken in this way: A stone hit the window and cracked the glass. I cracked my tooth as I fell. The walls cracked and the roof collapsed in the earthquake.Tearing and breaking into pieces › [I] informal to become mentally and physically weak: Stress and overwork are causing teachers to crack (up).Becoming and making less strong › [I] informal to fail as a result of problems: Their relationship began to crack (up) after their child died.Failing and doing badly › [I] If someone cracks, they begin to feel weak and agree that they have been defeated: He cracked during questioning and told us where to find the stolen goods.Accepting and agreeing reluctantlyAccepting and agreeingApproving and approval

(Definition of crack verb (BREAK) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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