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snap at

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snap at someone

to speak sharply or angrily to someone. (Based on snap at someone or something.) Don't snap at me. What did I do?' Why did you snap at me? I did nothing wrong.

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snap at someone or something

to bite at someone or something. (See also snap at someone; snap at something.) The dog snapped at my pants leg, but I escaped the attack unharmed. The fox snapped at the chicken and finally caught hold of it. The dog snapped at the judge and was disqualified.

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snap at something

Fig. to seize an opportunity. (See also snap at someone or something.) It is such a good deal, I knew you would snap at it. Just as I thought, Ted snapped at my final offer.

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snap at

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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snap at

v.

1. To bring the jaws briskly together in an attempt to threaten or bite someone or something: The dog strained at its leash and snapped at us.

2. To make a sharp, often hostile or scolding remark to someone: The lifeguard snapped at the child for running near the pool.

See also: snap