2crack noun
plural cracks 1 [count] : a thin line in the surface of something that is broken but not separated into pieces
▪ The crack runs all the way from the top of the wall to the bottom. ▪ an old patio with grass growing up through the cracks ▪ The vase has a few fine cracks, but it is still usable. — often + in ▪ There were cracks in the ice. ▪ There is a crack in the mirror/windshield/glass. ▪ Grass is growing up through the cracks in the old patio. — see also crack in someone's or something's armor at armor 2 [count] : a very narrow space or opening between two things or two parts of something
▪ I could see them through the crack in the doorway. ▪ Light came through the cracks in the walls of the barn. ▪ Could you please open the window a crack? [=open it slightly] It's getting hot in here. 3 [count] : a sudden loud, sharp sound — usually singular ▪ We heard a loud crack as the ice broke. ▪ The horse was frightened by the crack of the whip. ▪ a crack of thunder 4 [count] : a brief change in the sound of a person's voice especially because of strong emotion — usually singular ▪ There was a crack in her voice as she told us her story. 5 [count] : a weakness or problem
▪ Your theory/argument has a few cracks. — often + in ▪ The cracks in their relationship were becoming evident. 6 [count] informal : a joke or rude remark — often + about ▪ They're always making cracks [=wisecracks] about their teacher. ▪ I didn't appreciate your crack about my weight. 7 [count] : a hard and sudden hit — usually singular ▪ Someone gave him a crack on the head with a beer bottle. 8 [count] informal : an effort or attempt to do something — usually + at ▪ She succeeded in her first crack at writing a novel. ▪ If he's lucky, he'll get to take a crack at (a career in) professional baseball. ▪ Let me have a crack at it. 9 [noncount] : an illegal drug that is a form of cocaine
▪ He is addicted to crack. ▪ They were smoking crack. —called also crack cocaine
▪ The crack runs all the way from the top of the wall to the bottom. ▪ an old patio with grass growing up through the cracks ▪ The vase has a few fine cracks, but it is still usable. — often + in ▪ There were cracks in the ice. ▪ There is a crack in the mirror/windshield/glass. ▪ Grass is growing up through the cracks in the old patio. — see also crack in someone's or something's armor at armor
▪ I could see them through the crack in the doorway. ▪ Light came through the cracks in the walls of the barn. ▪ Could you please open the window a crack? [=open it slightly] It's getting hot in here.
▪ Your theory/argument has a few cracks. — often + in ▪ The cracks in their relationship were becoming evident.
▪ He is addicted to crack. ▪ They were smoking crack. —called also crack cocaine
a fair crack of the whip
Brit, informal ◊If you are given a fair crack of the whip, you are given the same chance as other people to do something.
▪ They might have succeeded if they'd been given a fair crack of the whip.
▪ They might have succeeded if they'd been given a fair crack of the whip.
at the crack of dawn
: very early in the morning : at dawn
▪ We got up at the crack of dawn to go fishing.
▪ We got up at the crack of dawn to go fishing.
fall through/between the cracks also slip through/between the cracks
: to fail to be noticed or included with others
▪ Parents are concerned that children who have trouble in school will fall through the cracks in the school system. [=will not be given the help they need; will graduate without anyone noticing that they are unable to do the work] ▪ The program is meant to help workers who may have slipped through the cracks [=who may have not been included in other programs] because of their age.
▪ Parents are concerned that children who have trouble in school will fall through the cracks in the school system. [=will not be given the help they need; will graduate without anyone noticing that they are unable to do the work] ▪ The program is meant to help workers who may have slipped through the cracks [=who may have not been included in other programs] because of their age.
