crack-up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A sudden mental or physical collapse; a breakdown: A state where someone can no longer function normally due to extreme stress, exhaustion, or emotional strain. 2. A sudden failure or collapse of something: Can refer to the failure of a system, plan, or vehicle.
Usage and Examples
- Noun (Mental/Physical Breakdown):
- The constant pressure at work led to his eventual crack-up.
- After the accident, she suffered a complete crack-up and needed time to recover.
- Noun (Sudden Failure):
- The crack-up of the negotiations was a disappointment to everyone involved.
- Investigators are studying the crack-up of the aircraft.
Advanced Usage
- "to have a crack-up": To experience a mental or physical breakdown.
- He's working so hard I'm worried he's going to have a crack-up.
- As a verb phrase ("crack up"): While the noun is "crack-up," the related verb is often written as two words. It can mean:
- To suffer a mental breakdown.
- She cracked up under the pressure.
- To laugh uncontrollably.
- The audience cracked up at the comedian's joke.
- To damage or break something, especially a vehicle.
- He cracked up his new car.
Variants and Related Words
- Breakdown (n.): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "crack-up" for both mental collapse and mechanical failure.
- Collapse (n.): A sudden failure or loss of strength.
- Nervous breakdown (n.): A common term for a severe mental or emotional collapse.
Synonyms
- Breakdown
- Collapse
- Meltdown
- Failure
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Crack up (v.): As detailed in the "Advanced Usage" section, this is the verb form related to the noun "crack-up." Its meanings include to have a mental breakdown, to laugh hysterically, or to crash a vehicle.
Related Idioms
- To be cracking up: To be on the verge of a mental breakdown or to be acting strangely.
- I think I'm cracking up; I just put the milk in the cupboard.
- It's not all it's cracked up to be: Something is not as good as people say it is.
- Fame isn't all it's cracked up to be.