snap
verb (used without object)
to make a sudden, sharp, distinct sound; crack, as a whip; crackle.
had been snapping
-
past perfect progressiveof snap.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.
The luxury giant had been snapping up brands with in-house perfumes, like Givenchy and Kenzo.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025
Americans had been snapping up goods like couches and clothing early in the pandemic, but they are now slowly shifting their purchases back toward services.
From New York Times ● Dec. 31, 2022
This gentleman had been snapping a photo of his son on the young man's birthday for twenty-five consecutive years.
From Fox News ● Dec. 14, 2021
Their joy was in stark contrast to the bitter tears shed by Russia's not-so-fierce-five, who had been snapping at the Americans' heels all night but imploded with the finishing line in sight.
From Reuters ● Jul. 31, 2012
It was dark in the church; street lights had been snapping on all around him on the populous avenue; the light of the day was gone.
From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin
