snap at

Idioms  

1. Speak irritably or abruptly to someone, as in This teacher was always snapping at the children. This use of snap transfers an animal's sudden bite at something to a verbal attack. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

Europe has witnessed strong withdrawals from storage facilities after a cold snap at the start of the year, with inventory levels now standing well below the five-year average.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

One former Treasury minister, Lord Bridges, told the Lords: "This is not a fiscal buffer; it is a fiscal wafer, so thin and fragile that it will snap at the slightest tap."

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

And that kind of niceness—the wide smiles, the generosity—it can hide deeper resentments that go back generations, that will snap at you like a stick to keep you in line.

From Slate • Oct. 22, 2025

Brown also returned to play every snap at left cornerback after sitting out the 49ers game.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 19, 2023

Anya furrowed her brow, but before she could snap at the blacksmith, Ivan said, “Gospodin, I think it is our business. Håkon’s our friend now. We care about him.”

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

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