Crack Meaning
Crack Definition & Usage
A narrow break or fracture in a surface or object.
Examples
- "There was a crack in the wall that got worse over time."
- "The glass cracked when it was dropped on the floor."
- "A deep crack appeared in the sidewalk after the earthquake."
- "She could hear the crack of a branch breaking in the distance."
- "The vase broke into pieces with a loud crack."
To cause something to break, split, or fracture.
Examples
- "He cracked the nut open with a hammer."
- "I accidentally cracked the screen of my phone."
- "The cold weather caused the pipes to crack."
- "Her voice cracked as she tried to speak."
- "The team cracked under pressure during the final game."
A powerful drug, especially one derived from cocaine, typically in a crystalline form.
Examples
- "He was caught with a small bag of crack in his possession."
- "The dealer was arrested for trafficking crack cocaine."
- "Crack use has been a major issue in the city for years."
- "She fell into addiction after being introduced to crack."
- "The government is increasing efforts to fight the spread of crack cocaine."
A highly skilled or talented person, especially in a specific field.
Examples
- "He's a real crack at solving difficult puzzles."
- "She's the crack shot when it comes to target shooting."
- "They hired a crack team of engineers to design the new product."
- "The chef is a crack cook, known for his exquisite dishes."
- "They brought in a crack lawyer to handle the case."
To joke, to make a witty remark, or to laugh.
Examples
- "They cracked a few jokes to lighten the mood at the meeting."
- "He cracked a smile when he saw the gift."
- "She cracked up at the comedian's hilarious punchline."
- "The kids cracked jokes during the long bus ride."
- "He cracked open a cold beer and sat back to relax."
Cultural Context
The word 'crack' has multiple meanings across different contexts, from physical cracks in objects to colloquial and slang usages referring to drugs and talents. Its use in the context of drugs, particularly crack cocaine, became widespread in the late 20th century and has had a significant cultural impact, especially in the United States. The metaphorical use of 'crack' to describe something 'exceptional' or 'outstanding' comes from the idea of something being the 'best' or the 'sharpest'.
The Crack of Dawn
Story
The Crack of Dawn
The morning sun barely peeked over the horizon when Emma heard the first crack. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but it was enough to get her attention. Her old oak desk, which had been with her for years, was showing its age. She leaned in to inspect it, and sure enough, a small crack ran diagonally across its surface. She sighed and set about fixing it, but her thoughts were elsewhere. The cracks in the desk reminded her of the cracks in her life—small, seemingly insignificant, but growing every day. She had been burning the candle at both ends, managing both her career and her family, trying to keep everything from falling apart. Later that day, her friend Luke cracked a joke about how they should 'crack open a bottle of wine' to celebrate surviving the week. Emma smiled, feeling the tension ease slightly. She made her way to dinner with her husband, talking about the work that was still 'cracking on' in her mind. As they arrived home, Emma's daughter was giggling at a show on TV. A moment of relaxation, she thought. Then, the phone rang. It was her lawyer. "We cracked the case wide open," he said, his voice filled with excitement. Emma chuckled and hung up, feeling a small sense of triumph. In some ways, she was cracking under pressure, but in others, she was the crack team that was slowly but surely piecing things together.
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