crack
verb (used without object)
to break without complete separation of parts; become fissured.
had been cracking
-
past perfect progressiveof crack.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Over the past seven months, construction crews have reinforced the lining of the tunnel, which had been cracking and developed leaks over 40 years, with more than 1,000 steel plates.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 4, 2023
He dismissed the impact of Western drones, saying Russia had been "cracking them like nuts".
From Reuters ● Jun. 6, 2022
The automakers, who had been cracking records week after week, cracked another: they turned out 146,470 cars.
From Time Magazine Archive
Isobel Barnett's disguise had been cracking for some time.
From Time Magazine Archive
“Okay,” he called to the room at large, and all noise ceased: Fred and George, who had been cracking jokes for the benefit of those nearest, fell silent, and all of them looked alert, excited.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
