2 → see also crackdown
▸ crack on PHRASAL VERB If you crack on with something, you continue doing it, especially with more effort than before, or as quickly as possible. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] You've just got to crack on, whatever the problems are. □ [V P + with ] Just tell him what to do and he'll crack on with the work.
▸ crack up
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone cracks up , they are under such a lot of emotional strain that they become mentally ill. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] She would have cracked up if she hadn't allowed herself some fun.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you crack up or if someone or something cracks you up , you laugh a lot. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] She told stories that cracked me up and I swore to write them down so you could enjoy them too. □ [V P ] We all just cracked up laughing.
➋ crack /kræ k/ (cracks )
1 N‑COUNT A crack is a very narrow gap between two things, or between two parts of a thing. □ [+ in ] Kathryn had seen him through a crack in the curtains.
2 N‑SING If you open something such as a door, window, or curtain a crack , you open it only a small amount. □ He went to the door, opened it a crack, and listened.
3 N‑COUNT A crack is a line that appears on the surface of something when it is slightly damaged. □ [+ in ] The plate had a crack in it. □ [+ in ] Hundreds of office buildings and homes developed large cracks in walls and ceilings.
4 N‑COUNT A crack is a sharp sound, like the sound of a piece of wood breaking. □ Suddenly there was a loud crack and glass flew into the car. □ 'Crack!'–The first shot rang out, hitting Paolo.
5 N‑SING If you have or take a crack at something, you make an attempt to do or achieve something. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ at ] I should love to have a crack at the Olympia title in my last year.
6 N‑COUNT A crack is a slightly rude or cruel joke. □ [+ about ] When Paul made the crack about the 'famous girl detective', I began to suspect that he had it in for you.
7 N‑UNCOUNT Crack is a very pure form of the drug cocaine.
8 → see also crack cocaine
9 ADJ [ADJ n] A crack soldier or sportsman is highly trained and very skilful. □ …a crack undercover police officer.
10 → see also craic
11 PHRASE If you say that someone does something at the crack of dawn , you are emphasizing that they do it very early in the morning. [EMPHASIS ] □ I often start work at the crack of dawn when there is a big order to get out.
cra ck co|cai ne also crack-cocaine N‑UNCOUNT Crack cocaine is a form of the drug cocaine which has been purified and made into crystals.
crack|down /kræ kdaʊn/ (crackdowns ) N‑COUNT A crackdown is strong official action that is taken to punish people who break laws. □ …anti-government unrest that ended with the violent army crackdown.
cracked /kræ kt/
1 ADJ An object that is cracked has lines on its surface because it is damaged. □ The ceiling was grey and cracked. □ …a cracked mirror.
2 ADJ A cracked voice or a cracked musical note sounds rough and unsteady. □ When he spoke, his voice was hoarse and cracked.
crack|er /kræ kə r / (crackers )
1 N‑COUNT A cracker is a thin, crisp biscuit which is often eaten with cheese.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone or something is a cracker , you like and admire them very much. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ She's a cracker. □ [+ of ] 'Dude' is a cracker of an album.
3 N‑COUNT A cracker is a hollow cardboard tube covered with coloured paper. Crackers make a loud noise when they are pulled apart and usually contain a small toy and a paper hat. In Britain they are used mainly at Christmas. □ …a Christmas cracker.
crack|ing /kræ k I ŋ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use cracking to describe something you think is very good or exciting. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ It's a cracking novel.
2 PHRASE If you tell someone to get cracking , you are telling them to start doing something immediately. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Mark, you'd better get cracking, the sooner the better.
crack|le /kræ k ə l/ (crackles , crackling , crackled ) VERB If something crackles , it makes a rapid series of short, harsh noises. □ [V ] The radio crackled again. □ [V -ing] …a crackling fire. ● N‑COUNT Crackle is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the crackle of flames and gunfire.
crack|ly /kræ k ə li/ ADJ Something that is crackly , especially a recording or broadcast, has or makes a lot of short, harsh noises. □ …a crackly phone line.
crack|pot /kræ kpɒt/ (crackpots ) ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone or their ideas as crackpot , you disapprove of them because you think that their ideas are strange and crazy. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …crackpot schemes. ● N‑COUNT A crackpot is a crackpot person. □ She was no more a crackpot than the rest of us.
cra|dle /kre I d ə l/ (cradles , cradling , cradled )
1 N‑COUNT A cradle is a baby's bed with high sides. Cradles often have curved bases so that they rock from side to side.