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1 PHRASAL VERB If someone cracks up , they are under such a lot of emotional strain that they become mentally ill. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] She would have cracked up if she hadn't allowed herself some fun.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you crack up or if someone or something cracks you up , you laugh a lot. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] She told stories that cracked me up and I swore to write them down so you could enjoy them too. □ [V P ] We all just cracked up laughing.

➋ crack /kræ k/ (cracks )

1 N‑COUNT A crack is a very narrow gap between two things, or between two parts of a thing. □ [+ in ] Kathryn had seen him through a crack in the curtains.

2 N‑SING If you open something such as a door, window, or curtain a crack , you open it only a small amount. □  He went to the door, opened it a crack, and listened.

3 N‑COUNT A crack is a line that appears on the surface of something when it is slightly damaged. □ [+ in ] The plate had a crack in it. □ [+ in ] Hundreds of office buildings and homes developed large cracks in walls and ceilings.

4 N‑COUNT A crack is a sharp sound, like the sound of a piece of wood breaking. □  Suddenly there was a loud crack and glass flew into the car. □  'Crack!'–The first shot rang out, hitting Paolo.

5 N‑SING If you have or take a crack at something, you make an attempt to do or achieve something. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ at ] I should love to have a crack at the Olympia title in my last year.

6 N‑COUNT A crack is a slightly rude or cruel joke. □ [+ about ] When Paul made the crack about the 'famous girl detective', I began to suspect that he had it in for you.

7 N‑UNCOUNT Crack is a very pure form of the drug cocaine.

8 → see also crack cocaine

9 ADJ [ADJ n] A crack soldier or sportsman is highly trained and very skilful. □  …a crack undercover police officer.

10 → see also craic

11 PHRASE If you say that someone does something at the crack of dawn , you are emphasizing that they do it very early in the morning. [EMPHASIS ] □  I often start work at the crack of dawn when there is a big order to get out.

cra ck co|cai ne also crack-cocaine N‑UNCOUNT Crack cocaine is a form of the drug cocaine which has been purified and made into crystals.

crack|down /kræ kdaʊn/ (crackdowns ) N‑COUNT A crackdown is strong official action that is taken to punish people who break laws. □  …anti-government unrest that ended with the violent army crackdown.

cracked /kræ kt/

1 ADJ An object that is cracked has lines on its surface because it is damaged. □  The ceiling was grey and cracked. □  …a cracked mirror.

2 ADJ A cracked voice or a cracked musical note sounds rough and unsteady. □  When he spoke, his voice was hoarse and cracked.

crack|er /kræ kə ^r / (crackers )

1 N‑COUNT A cracker is a thin, crisp biscuit which is often eaten with cheese.

2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone or something is a cracker , you like and admire them very much. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □  She's a cracker. □ [+ of ] 'Dude' is a cracker of an album.

3 N‑COUNT A cracker is a hollow cardboard tube covered with coloured paper. Crackers make a loud noise when they are pulled apart and usually contain a small toy and a paper hat. In Britain they are used mainly at Christmas. □  …a Christmas cracker.

crack|ing /kræ k I ŋ/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use cracking to describe something you think is very good or exciting. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □  It's a cracking novel.

2 PHRASE If you tell someone to get cracking , you are telling them to start doing something immediately. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □  Mark, you'd better get cracking, the sooner the better.