crack
crack — 動詞
1. if a hard surface like glass, bone, or dry earth cracks, or if a person or thing
破裂；龜裂
表面出現細線裂痕
if a hard surface like glass, bone, or dry earth cracks, or if a person or thing cracks it, fine visible lines form on the outside while the object stays in one piece
The old mirror in the hallway cracked after the door slammed against it.
走廊那面舊鏡子在門用力撞上後就裂了。
intransitive: crack + [cause]
Layla noticed the paint had cracked on the ceiling above her desk.
蕾拉注意到書桌上方天花板的漆已經龜裂。
A rock hit the windshield and cracked the glass in front of the driver.
一顆大石頭擊中擋風玻璃，當著司機面前把玻璃震裂了。
When the soil gets too dry during summer, it often cracks in several places.
夏天土壤太乾的時候，常常會裂出好幾條縫。
文法句型
crack
crack something
crack + adjunct of cause
用法筆記
Often used with an adjunct explaining the cause — crack under [weight/pressure/heat], crack from [impact/dryness].
常見錯誤
2. if someone cracks after a long period of difficulty or stress, they become menta
崩潰
身心因長期壓力而垮掉
if someone cracks after a long period of difficulty or stress, they become mentally or physically unable to continue functioning normally
After weeks of working fifteen-hour days without a break, Hari finally cracked under the strain.
連續好幾週每天工作十五個小時不休息，哈里終於在壓力下崩潰了。
crack under the strain
The constant pressure from both family and work caused Élise to crack.
家庭和工作兩方面的壓力讓艾莉絲崩潰了。
cause [someone] to crack
Some soldiers who experience too much combat stress crack and need immediate medical support.
有些經歷太多作戰壓力的士兵會精神崩潰，需要立即的醫療協助。
Obi knew he was close to cracking when he could no longer sleep at night.
歐比知道自己快要撐不住了，因為他晚上再也睡不著覺。
- collapse
more general; can be physical, mental, or structural
- break down
often implies a more dramatic emotional episode
- snap
sudden and complete loss of control, more informal
文法句型
crack (under [pressure/strain/tension])
crack + and + [result clause]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by under + [strain/pressure/tension]. The subject is always a person or group of people; not used for machines or systems.
常見錯誤
3. if a system, business, or organization cracks, it stops working or fails because
瓦解；失靈
系統或組織因問題而失敗
if a system, business, or organization cracks, it stops working or fails because of serious problems or outside pressure
The company's old security system finally cracked after years of repeated cyber attacks.
公司老舊的安防系統在經年累月的網路攻擊後終於瓦解了。
Without proper government funding, the public health programme slowly began to crack.
沒有政府足夠的經費支援，這個公共衛生計畫開始出現漏洞。
intransitive: [system/organisation] + begin to crack
When the main hospital server cracked, doctors could not access any patient records.
醫院主伺服器當掉的時候，醫生完全無法查閱病人的病歷資料。
Diya worried that the water supply system would crack if the drought continued.
迪亞擔心如果乾旱持續下去，供水系統可能會撐不住。
- collapse
more sudden and complete failure
- fail
more general and neutral
- break down
implies gradual loss of function
- hold
to continue functioning despite pressure
- stand firm
to remain strong under challenge
文法句型
crack
begin to crack
crack under [pressure/weight]
用法筆記
Used metaphorically for systems, institutions, or processes, not for emotional states. Distinguish from sense 2 (MENTAL BREAKDOWN — for people) and sense 4 (GIVE IN — voluntary surrender).
4. if someone cracks in a difficult situation, they lose their emotional control an
屈服；招供
壓力下放棄抵抗或承認
if someone cracks in a difficult situation, they lose their emotional control and give up or admit the truth, especially after pressure or questioning
The police questioned the suspect for six hours before he finally cracked and confessed.
警方盤問了嫌犯六個小時，他終於撐不住招供了。
During the tough negotiation, one lawyer cracked and accepted all of the other side's demands.
在激烈的談判中，一名律師扛不住了，接受了對方所有的條件。
crack + and + [consequence]
After three days without proper sleep, the captured soldier cracked and revealed his unit's location.
被俘的士兵連續三天沒有好好睡覺，最後撐不下去，供出了部隊的位置。
João warned his team not to crack when the client started making unreasonable demands.
喬奧警告他的團隊，當客戶開始提出不合理的要求時不要屈服。
- give in
more general; can be about any kind of surrender, not just under pressure
- confess
specifically about admitting guilt or truth
- capitulate
formal; surrendering after resistance
- hold out
to continue resisting
- stand firm
to refuse to give in
文法句型
crack (under [pressure])
crack + and + [action of surrender]
用法筆記
Often describes a specific moment of surrender under interrogation, negotiation, or punishment. Distinguish from sense 2 (MENTAL BREAKDOWN — general inability to function, not necessarily involving confession or surrender).
常見錯誤
5. to forcefully break the outer shell or casing of something like a nut, an egg, o
敲開；砸開
打破外殼取出內部東西
to forcefully break the outer shell or casing of something like a nut, an egg, or a locked box so that you can take out what is inside
Ari cracked the walnut with a small hammer and picked out the meat inside.
阿力用小鎚子敲開核桃，把裡面的果仁挑了出來。
transitive: crack + [nut/food]
The burglars cracked the safe and took all the cash and jewellery inside.
竊賊撬開了保險箱，把裡面的現金和珠寶全拿走了。
My grandmother always cracks two eggs into the bowl when she bakes a cake.
我奶奶烤蛋糕的時候，總是往碗裡打兩個蛋。
Owen cracked open a cold drink and sat down to watch the football game.
歐文打開一瓶冰涼的飲料，坐下來看足球比賽。
- crack open
emphasises the action of separating the outer shell
- break open
more general; can be used for any container
- split
suggests a cleaner separation along a line
文法句型
crack something open
crack + [object with a hard shell/container]
用法筆記
Often used as crack open (+ object) for nuts, eggs, or containers. For bottles or drinks, use crack open rather than just crack.
常見錯誤
6. to get into a computer system, network, or encrypted data without permission, us
入侵；滲透
未經授權進入電腦系統
to get into a computer system, network, or encrypted data without permission, usually to steal information, cause damage, or prove a skill
A teenage hacker managed to crack the university's database and steal personal records.
一名青少年駭客成功入侵大學的資料庫，竊取了個人記錄。
The company hired a security expert to see if anyone could crack their network.
公司聘請了一位資安專家，試試有沒有人能破解他們的網路。
transitive: crack + [network/system]
Law enforcement agencies now have special tools to crack encrypted messages quickly.
執法單位現在有專門工具可以快速破解加密訊息。
The security team found evidence that someone had tried to crack their email system.
資安團隊找到了證據，顯示有人試圖入侵他們的電子郵件系統。
- hack
more common general term for breaking into systems
- breach
more formal; often used in security contexts
- compromise
formal; implies the system's security was weakened
文法句型
crack + [computer system/network/code/password]
用法筆記
Informal computing term. More formal alternatives include breach or compromise. In everyday British English, hack is more common than crack for this sense.
常見錯誤
7. to make unauthorized copies of computer programs, films, or music, typically by
盜版
非法複製受版權保護的軟體、電影或音樂
to make unauthorized copies of computer programs, films, or music, typically by removing or bypassing their copyright protection systems
Dario cracked the game so his cousin could play it on his laptop.
Dario 破解了那款遊戲，好讓他的表弟能在筆電上玩。
crack + game/software/app (direct object)
The police arrested a man who had cracked thousands of songs and sold them online.
警方逮捕了一名男子，他盜版了數千首歌並在網路上販售。
Shirin warned her classmates that cracking movies from streaming sites breaks the law.
Shirin 提醒她的同學，從串流平台盜版電影是違法的。
Running a website that offers cracked programs can lead to heavy fines.
經營提供破解版程式的網站可能導致高額罰款。
文法句型
crack + noun phrase (software/movie/song)
用法筆記
Commonly used in the context of digital piracy. The adjective form 'cracked' (e.g. 'cracked software') is also frequent and carries the same meaning.
常見錯誤
8. to succeed in understanding a difficult puzzle, code, or crime by finding its hi
解開；解答
找出難題、密碼或案件的答案
to succeed in understanding a difficult puzzle, code, or crime by finding its hidden meaning or solution
A team of spies worked all night to crack the enemy's secret code.
一群間諜徹夜工作，試圖破解敵方的祕密密碼。
crack + code/password/cipher
It took the detective nearly two years to crack the murder case.
那名警探花了將近兩年才破案。
Élise cracked the last puzzle of the game just before the time ran out.
Élise 在時間快到之前解開了遊戲的最後一道謎題。
Minho believed that cracking the problem of ocean plastic would need new ideas.
Minho 認為，解決海洋塑膠問題需要新的想法。
文法句型
crack + noun (code/case/mystery/problem)
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person or group engaged in intellectual effort. The object is usually something hidden or mysterious (a code, a case, a puzzle), not a routine question.
常見錯誤
9. to strike someone or something with a sudden, hard blow, often producing a sharp
重擊；撞
用力擊打某人或某物，常伴隨聲響
to strike someone or something with a sudden, hard blow, often producing a sharp sound
The tree branch cracked Reuben across the back as it swung down.
樹枝盪下來，重重打中 Reuben 的背部。
crack + person + across + body part
Heloísa cracked her elbow against the door frame and shouted in pain.
Heloísa 的手肘撞上了門框，痛得大叫。
The baseball cracked Jin on the shoulder before he could raise his glove.
棒球在 Jin 舉起手套之前就打中了他的肩膀。
A delivery driver cracked his knee against the back of the truck.
一名送貨員的膝蓋撞上了卡車後門。
文法句型
crack + someone/something + on/against + body part/object
用法筆記
Typically describes an accidental or forceful impact. The sound is an important part of the meaning — this is not used for a silent or gentle tap.
10. to produce a short explosive sound, or to cause an object to make such a noise
發出爆裂聲
產生短促而響亮的破裂音
to produce a short explosive sound, or to cause an object to make such a noise
The lion tamer cracked his whip and the lions jumped onto their stools.
馴獅人甩了一下鞭子，獅子們便跳上凳子。
transitive: crack + whip
Amira heard the ice crack beneath her feet and quickly stepped back.
Amira 聽到腳下的冰發出噼啪聲，連忙往後退了一步。
intransitive: ice/wood/ground + cracks
Gabriel cracked his knuckles before he started typing his report.
Gabriel 在開始打報告之前先咔咔地按了按指節。
The fireworks cracked loudly in the dark sky above the waiting crowd.
煙火在等待的人群上方的夜空裡劈啪作響。
文法句型
transitive: crack + noun (whip/knuckles); intransitive: noun + cracks (ice/whip/firework)
用法筆記
Both transitive and intransitive uses are equally common. The sound is sharp and brief — not a continuous noise. 'Crack a whip' and 'crack one's knuckles' are fixed collocations.
11. when a person's voice changes pitch suddenly and without control because of a st
嗓音變調
因情緒激動而聲音突然不穩
when a person's voice changes pitch suddenly and without control because of a strong feeling
Ishaan's voice cracked with emotion as he read the letter from his daughter.
Ishaan 在讀女兒來信時，聲音因激動而哽咽變調。
voice + crack + with + emotion/nerves/grief
The singer's voice cracked during the high note and the audience gasped.
那位歌手在唱高音時聲音破了，全場觀眾倒吸一口氣。
Mira fought back tears but her voice cracked when she said goodbye.
Mira 強忍住淚水，但說再見時聲音還是不穩。
Christopher's voice cracked with nerves during his first speech in front of the class.
Christopher 在全班面前第一次演講時，緊張得聲音都變了。
文法句型
voice + cracks + with + emotion (emotion/nerves/sorrow)
用法筆記
Only intransitive. The subject is always a voice or related noun (his voice, her voice, the speaker's voice). This sense is different from 'a voice that sounds rough from illness' — cracking here means a sudden break in pitch, not hoarseness.
常見錯誤
12. to say something humorous or witty, typically in a quick and offhand manner
說笑話
用輕鬆、快節奏的方式講有趣的話
to say something humorous or witty, typically in a quick and offhand manner
My uncle is always cracking jokes at dinner and making everyone laugh.
我叔叔總是在晚餐時講笑話，逗得大家哈哈大笑。
collocation: crack a joke
Reuben cracked a joke about the food and everyone at the table laughed.
Reuben 開了個關於食物的玩笑，整桌人都笑了。
The comedian cracked several jokes during the show, but not all of them worked.
那位喜劇演員在節目中講了好幾個笑話，但不是每個都好笑。
During the meeting, the manager cracked a joke about the broken printer.
開會時，經理拿那臺壞掉的印表機開了個玩笑。
- tell a joke
more neutral in register; 'crack a joke' sounds quicker and more spontaneous
- quip
more formal and literary; suggests a short, clever remark rather than a structured joke
文法句型
crack + a joke
crack + funny remark/witty comment
用法筆記
Almost always used with the object 'a joke' or 'jokes'. 'Crack a joke' is a fixed collocation — it is far more common than the synonymous 'tell a joke' in informal speech.
常見錯誤
13. to use heat to break down the large hydrocarbon molecules in crude oil into smal
裂解
將原油加熱分解成較小分子
to use heat to break down the large hydrocarbon molecules in crude oil into smaller, more useful ones such as petrol or diesel
The refinery cracks crude oil into petrol, diesel, and jet fuel every day.
煉油廠每天將原油裂解成汽油、柴油和航空燃料。
transitive: crack crude oil into [products]
Heavy oil cracked under high heat produces chemicals used for making plastics.
重油在高溫下裂解，會產生用於製造塑膠的化學物質。
passive: oil + is cracked under high heat
Luca studied how engineers crack petroleum into lighter fuels at the industrial plant.
路卡學習工程師如何在工業廠房中將石油裂解成較輕的燃料。
The new cracking unit can process over sixty thousand barrels each day.
新的裂解設備每天可以處理超過六萬桶原油。
Without cracking, thick crude oil would be too heavy to use as vehicle fuel.
如果沒有裂解，稠原油會因為太重而無法用作車輛燃料。
文法句型
crack [crude oil / petroleum] into [products]
crude oil / petroleum cracks into [products]
用法筆記
Technical term used in the petroleum and chemical engineering industries. The process itself is known as cracking or fluid catalytic cracking. Not encountered in everyday conversation.
常見錯誤
14. to succeed at getting into a field, organisation, or level of achievement that h
突破
成功進入原本難以進入的領域
to succeed at getting into a field, organisation, or level of achievement that has been very hard to reach, either because of rules, tradition, or bias
Lotte became the first woman to crack the all-male board of directors at the bank.
Lotte 成為第一位打入銀行全男性董事會的女性。
transitive: crack + [exclusive group]
After years of effort, Samir finally cracked the Japanese market with his software product.
Samir 努力多年後，終於用他的軟體產品成功打進日本市場。
The new streaming service struggled to crack a market already controlled by two big companies.
這家新的串流服務公司很難打入一個已被兩家大公司掌控的市場。
Hyun cracked the top ten rankings for the first time in her professional tennis career.
Hyun 在她的職業網球生涯中首次突破前十名的排名。
Young designers from smaller countries often find it hardest to crack the international fashion industry.
來自小國的年輕設計師往往最難打進國際時尚產業。
- break into
phrasal verb, slightly more informal
- penetrate
more formal; suggests a forceful entry
- enter
neutral; does not imply difficulty
- be excluded from
to be kept out of a group or field
- fail to enter
to be unsuccessful at gaining access
文法句型
crack + [barrier / market / glass ceiling / top ranking]
用法筆記
Commonly used with nouns such as market, barrier, glass ceiling, or top [ranking / ten / hundred]. The object is always something that was difficult to enter or achieve. Less common with concrete physical objects.
常見錯誤
crack — 名詞
1. a thin line or narrow gap that appears on a surface when something has broken sl
裂縫；裂痕
物體表面因破裂而產生的細長縫隙
a thin line or narrow gap that appears on a surface when something has broken slightly without coming apart
Romi noticed a long crack in the bathroom mirror after dropping a bottle near it.
Romi 發現浴室鏡子上有一道長長的裂縫，是她在附近摔破瓶子後留下的。
collocation: crack in [surface]
Water leaked through a tiny crack in the old stone wall behind the kitchen sink.
水從廚房水槽後面那道舊石牆的細小裂縫中滲了出來。
The earthquake left a deep crack running across the road outside their apartment building.
地震在他們公寓大樓外的馬路上留下了一道深深的裂痕。
Noor touched the crack in the wooden table and felt its rough edge.
Noor 摸了摸木桌上的裂縫，感覺到粗糙的邊緣。
Repair a crack in the ceiling before the rainy season makes it worse.
趁雨季來臨前修好天花板上的裂縫，免得狀況變得更糟。
文法句型
there is a crack in [something]
用法筆記
Often paired with 'in' to specify which surface the crack appears on. A crack is shallower and narrower than a 'break' or 'split'.
常見錯誤
2. the narrow gap created when a door or window is moved just a little away from it
一絲；微開
門窗或蓋子只打開極小的縫隙
the narrow gap created when a door or window is moved just a little away from its closed position
Lotte opened the window a crack to let fresh air into the stuffy bedroom.
Lotte 把窗戶推開一絲縫隙，讓新鮮空氣進入悶熱的臥室。
pattern: open [something] a crack
The cat slipped through the door when Benjamin left it open just a crack.
Benjamin 只把門打開一條小縫，貓就趁機溜了出去。
Morning light came through the curtain where Lara had pulled it apart a crack.
晨光從 Lara 拉開一條縫的窗簾透了進來。
Yael sleeps with the bedroom door open a crack so the hallway light shines in.
Yael 睡覺時把臥室門打開一條縫，讓走廊的燈光照進來。
文法句型
open [something] a crack
leave [something] a crack open
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrase 'open [something] a crack' or '[something] is open a crack', where 'a crack' functions as an adverb of degree. Do not use 'a crack' as a standalone noun for this meaning.
3. a sudden, short, sharp sound like that of something breaking or a whip hitting a
爆裂聲
物體斷裂或撞擊發出的短促尖銳聲響
a sudden, short, sharp sound like that of something breaking or a whip hitting a surface
A loud crack of thunder woke Nia from a deep sleep around three.
一聲響亮的雷鳴在凌晨三點把 Nia 從沉睡中驚醒。
collocation: crack of thunder
The branch came down with a sharp crack and landed on the garden bench.
樹枝發出一聲清脆的爆裂聲，落在了花園長凳上。
pattern: with a [adjective] crack
Jisoo heard the crack of the bat and knew the ball was a home run.
Jisoo 聽到球棒的劈啪聲，就知道那球是全壘打。
There was a sudden crack as the ice beneath Brian's boots began to break apart.
Brian 靴子下的冰層開始碎裂，發出了一道突然的爆裂聲。
Ari flinched at the crack of the starting pistol during the school sports day.
學校運動會上，Ari 被起跑槍的爆裂聲嚇得縮了一下。
文法句型
a crack of [something]
with a crack
用法筆記
This sense describes a short, dry, explosive sound — distinct from 'bang' (louder, deeper) or 'snap' (softer, higher-pitched). Often used with 'of' to identify the source of the sound.
4. an occasion when someone tries to do something, often for the first time or in a
嘗試
初次或在陌生領域嘗試做某事
an occasion when someone tries to do something, often for the first time or in a new situation
Ritu had never baked a cake but decided to have a crack at it for her mother's birthday.
Ritu 從未烤過蛋糕，但為了媽媽的生日，她決定嘗試看看。
pattern: have a crack at [something]
The manager asked if anyone wanted to take a crack at the payment system issue.
經理問有沒有人想試著處理付款系統的問題。
pattern: take a crack at [something]
Noor gave rock climbing a crack on holiday and discovered a new hobby.
Noor 在假期中嘗試了攀岩，發現了一項新愛好。
Brian watched some videos and had a crack at fixing his broken bicycle chain.
Brian 看了幾支影片後，嘗試修理他那條斷掉的腳踏車鏈條。
文法句型
have a crack at [something]
give [something] a crack
take a crack at [something]
用法筆記
Always appears in fixed phrases like 'have a crack at', 'take a crack at', or 'give [something] a crack'. The object is whatever is being attempted. Common in everyday British, Australian, and New Zealand English.
常見錯誤
5. a powerfully addictive substance processed from cocaine, usually smoked in small
快克古柯鹼
一種強效、可吸食的非法古柯鹼毒品
a powerfully addictive substance processed from cocaine, usually smoked in small crystals and illegal in most countries
The documentary showed how smoking crack can destroy a person's health quickly.
那部紀錄片展示了吸食快克古柯鹼如何迅速摧毀一個人的健康。
collocation: smoke crack
The city opened a new treatment centre to help people who became addicted to crack.
市政府開設了一間新的治療中心，幫助那些對快克古柯鹼成癮的人。
collocation: addicted to crack
Police arrested three people for selling crack near the school playground last Thursday night.
上週四晚間，警方在學校操場附近逮捕了三名販賣快克古柯鹼的人。
A health campaign warned teenagers about the dangers of crack cocaine.
一場健康宣導活動向青少年警告快克古柯鹼的危險。
- crack cocaine
the full, more formal name for this substance
文法句型
smoke crack
crack addict
crack cocaine
用法筆記
This sense refers specifically to crack cocaine, a smokable form processed from cocaine hydrochloride. It is chemically different from powdered cocaine and carries greater social stigma due to its association with severe addiction.
6. a word used in Ireland to describe enjoyable social time, lively conversation, a
歡樂時光
愛爾蘭用語，指愉快的社交氛圍
a word used in Ireland to describe enjoyable social time, lively conversation, and a fun atmosphere among friends
The pub had live music that night, and the crack was brilliant until closing time.
那間酒吧那晚有現場演奏，氣氛歡樂無比直到打烊。
pattern: the crack was [adjective]
Lara asked her colleagues where to find good crack in Dublin on a Friday.
Lara 問同事在都柏林哪裡可以找到好玩的氣氛。
collocation: good crack
The wedding had singing and dancing, and everyone said the crack was mighty.
婚禮上有歌唱和舞蹈，每個人都說氣氛好極了。
At the festival, a local asked Benjamin, "What's the crack?"
在音樂節上，一個當地人問 Benjamin：「最近怎麼樣？」
- craic
the preferred modern Irish spelling
- fun
general term, less tied to Irish social culture
- entertainment
more formal, broader in meaning
文法句型
the crack was [adjective]
good crack
what's the crack?
用法筆記
This is the standard Irish English spelling 'craic', though it is often written as 'crack' in informal writing. It refers to atmosphere and entertainment — not to drugs or damage. The phrase 'what's the crack?' means 'how are things?' or 'what's happening?'. Avoid confusing this with any other sense of 'crack'.
常見錯誤
7. a technique or piece of software that lets someone enter a protected computer or
入侵手法
破解他人電腦的方法
a technique or piece of software that lets someone enter a protected computer or network without permission in order to access data or carry out illegal actions
The security team found a crack that allowed outsiders to read private emails.
資安團隊發現了一種能讓外人讀取私人郵件的入侵手法。
a crack + that-clause describing the exploit
Faisal downloaded a crack from a forum and tested it on his own server.
Faisal 從論壇下載了一個破解程式，在自己的伺服器上測試。
The company spent thousands fixing a crack in its payment system.
公司花了好幾千元修補付款系統中的一個安全漏洞。
Many older websites had a well-known crack that hackers could use easily.
許多舊網站都有一個駭客能輕易利用的知名漏洞。
- exploit
a more technical term used by security professionals
- backdoor
a specific kind of secret entry method
- vulnerability
a weakness in a system that a crack can target
- patch
a software fix that removes a crack or vulnerability
文法句型
a crack (for [system])
use a crack
用法筆記
A countable noun used mainly in informal computing contexts. The more general term for the action is hack or exploit. Distinguish from verb sense 6 (HACK A SYSTEM — the action of breaking in), which is also computing slang.
常見錯誤
8. a short, clever, and often slightly critical comment that someone makes during a
俏皮話
機智幽默的評論
a short, clever, and often slightly critical comment that someone makes during a conversation in order to be amusing or make a point
Kwame made a crack about the terrible cafeteria food, and everyone laughed.
Kwame 對難吃的餐廳伙食開了個玩笑，大家都笑了。
make a crack about [topic]
Stephanie's crack about the team's slow progress embarrassed the manager.
Stephanie 針對團隊進度太慢的一句挖苦讓經理很難堪。
A harmless crack about a colleague's haircut can still hurt their feelings.
一句無傷大雅的玩笑話—例如取笑同事的髮型—還是可能傷到對方。
Brandon could not resist a crack about the broken printer during the meeting.
Brandon 在會議上忍不住對那台壞掉的印表機說了一句俏皮話。
- compliment
a positive remark with no critical edge
文法句型
make a crack (about [topic])
用法筆記
Usually paired with the verb make — make a crack (about something). Slightly more critical than a joke; a crack often targets a specific person, situation, or flaw. Do not confuse with crack meaning 'joke' in general — crack is shorter and sharper.
常見錯誤
crack — 形容詞
1. describes a person or thing that is exceptionally skilful or top-grade — for exa
頂尖的
形容極優秀或一流的
describes a person or thing that is exceptionally skilful or top-grade — for example, a sports team, a military unit, or a performer who ranks among the very best.
A crack team of surgeons performed the operation at Tōkyō University Hospital.
一群頂尖的外科醫生在東京大學醫院進行了那場手術。
crack + noun (team of professionals)
Zayd is a crack shot — he won the national title three years in a row.
Zayd 是一位神射手——他連續三年贏得全國冠軍。
crack + noun (shot = expert marksman)
The general put together a crack unit of experienced soldiers for the rescue mission.
將軍組成了一支由經驗豐富的士兵組成的精銳部隊，執行救援任務。
Élise has a crack team of designers who create her fashion line every season.
Élise 有一群頂尖的設計師，每季為她打造時裝系列。
- elite
more formal; used for groups rather than individuals ('an elite unit').
- top
broader meaning; less dramatic than 'crack' ('a top player').
- first-rate
slightly more formal; can be used predicatively ('this team is first-rate').
- expert
focuses on skill level rather than quality ('an expert pilot').
- mediocre
opposite in quality ('a mediocre team').
- second-rate
direct opposite, same register ('a second-rate unit').
文法句型
crack + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Describes people or groups with exceptional skill. Common in British English in phrases such as 'crack shot' (expert marksman), 'crack regiment,' or 'crack team.' Not used in American English in this sense.