crack

• En anglais britannique, utilisé comme argot pour décrire quelqu'un ou quelque chose d'excellent ou de première qualité.

Used in British English as slang to describe someone or something as excellent or first-rate.

1. Excellent or first-rateB2informalbritish

   Used informally to describe something of very high quality or skill.

   excellent, de premier ordre

   • He is a crack shot with a rifle.
   • She is a crack player on the tennis team.
   • That was a crack performance by the band.

   Synonymesaceeliteexcellentexpertfirst-classfirst-ratemasteroutstandingskilledstellarsuperbtop-notch

• Fissure étroite, craquelure ou rupture à la surface, ou bruit sec et soudain.

A noun referring to a narrow opening, fissure, or break in a surface, or a sharp, sudden sound.

1. Narrow opening or fissureA2formal

   A narrow space or break in a surface, often caused by damage or wear.

   Fissure étroite

   • There is a crack in the wall from the earthquake.
   • He peered through a crack in the door.
   • The cup has a small crack near the handle.

   Synonymeschinkcleftcrevicefissurefracturegapopeningriftslitsplit

   Antonymesclosurepatchplugseal

2. Sharp soundB1formal

   A sudden, sharp noise, like something breaking or snapping.

   Craquement

   • The crack of the whip startled the horse.
   • We heard a loud crack as the tree branch fell.
   • The crack of thunder echoed across the sky.

   Synonymesbangburstclappopreportsnap

3. Attempt or tryB1informal

   An attempt to do something, often used informally.

   tentative

   • I'll have a crack at solving this puzzle.
   • She took a crack at the exam but didn't pass.
   • He gave it a good crack, but the lock wouldn't open.

   Synonymesattemptbashgoshotstabtrywhack

4. Joke or witty remarkB2informal

   A sharp, humorous, or sarcastic comment.

   Remarque spirituelle ou sarcastique

   • He made a crack about her new haircut.
   • That was a funny crack about the weather.
   • She couldn't resist a crack at his expense.

   Synonymesbarbdiggagjestjibejokequipsallywisecrackwitticism

5. Drug (cocaine)C1informal

   A highly addictive form of cocaine that is smoked.

   Crack (cocaïne)

   • Crack is a dangerous and illegal drug.
   • He was arrested for possession of crack.
   • The documentary highlighted the devastating effects of crack addiction.

   Synonymescrack cocainerock

• Verbe désignant l'action de briser quelque chose avec un bruit sec, ou de résoudre un problème ou un code.

A verb used to indicate the act of breaking something with a sharp sound, or solving a problem or code.

1. A2formal

   To break or split something open, often with a sudden sharp sound.

   Fendre avec un bruit sec

   • The egg cracked when she dropped it.
   • He cracked the nut open with a hammer.
   • The ice cracked under their weight.

   Synonymesbreakburstfractureshattersnapsplintersplit

   Antonymesfusejoinmendrepairseal

2. Solve or decipherB1informal

   To solve a difficult problem, code, or puzzle.

   résoudre, déchiffrer

   • She finally cracked the mystery after hours of work.
   • The detective cracked the case with new evidence.
   • They cracked the encryption on the secret message.

   Synonymesbreakdecipherdecodefigure outpuzzle outsolveunravelwork out

3. Hit sharplyB1informal

   To strike something with a sharp blow, often making a cracking sound.

   frapper sèchement

   • He cracked his knee against the table.
   • The whip cracked loudly in the air.
   • She cracked the ball with her bat.

   Synonymesbangcloutpunchrapslapsmackthwackwhack

4. Voice breakingB2informal

   To have one's voice break or change pitch, often from emotion or puberty.

   Voix qui casse

   • His voice cracked with emotion during the speech.
   • The boy's voice cracked as he sang.
   • She cracked up laughing uncontrollably.

   Synonymesbreakfalterquaverwaver

Variantes phrasalcrack downcrack up