Part of speech: Noun and verb.
Phonetic transcription: Noun: /kræk/ Verb: /kræk/
Meanings and usage: - As a noun, "crack" refers to a narrow opening or break, a sudden sharp or explosive noise, slang for a joke, or a potent form of a drug. It is frequently used in both oral and written contexts. - As a verb, "crack" means to break or cause to break without complete separation of parts, to make a sudden sharp or explosive noise, to find a solution or answer, to intrude or enter without permission, to open something with skill or force, or to attain influence or a result. This word is common in both spoken and written English.
Verb tenses: - Present simple: crack - Present continuous: cracking - Present perfect: cracked - Present perfect continuous: been cracking - Past simple: cracked - Past continuous: was/were cracking - Past perfect: had cracked - Past perfect continuous: had been cracking - Future simple: will crack - Future continuous: will be cracking - Future perfect: will have cracked - Future perfect continuous: will have been cracking - Gerund: cracking
Examples: 1. The wall has a small crack in it. (Translation: The wall has a small break in it.) 2. She told a funny crack and made everyone laugh. (Translation: She told a funny joke and made everyone laugh.)
Idiomatic expressions: - "Crack a smile" - to smile, especially unwillingly or as a response to humor. - "Crack the code" - to figure out a solution or answer to a difficult problem. - "Crack down" - to enforce rules, laws, or restrictions more strictly. - "Crack of dawn" - very early in the morning. - "Crack the whip" - to exert control or authority forcefully. - "Crack a joke" - to tell a joke.
Examples of idiomatic expressions: 1. When she saw the cute puppy, she couldn't help but crack a smile. (Translation: When she saw the cute puppy, she couldn't help but smile.) 2. The detectives worked tirelessly to crack the code and solve the mystery. (Translation: The detectives worked tirelessly to find a solution and solve the mystery.) 3. The government decided to crack down on illegal parking in the city. (Translation: The government decided to enforce rules more strictly on illegal parking.)
Etymology: The word "crack" originated in Middle English from the Old English word "cracian," which means to resound or make a sudden sharp noise.
Synonyms and Antonyms: - Synonyms: fissure, split, snap, joke, gag, solve, break through, achieve - Antonyms: mend, repair, seal, fix, unite, bond, fail