snag
B1Neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
A small problem or obstacle that causes delay or difficulty; also, a tear or hole in fabric.
Can refer to catching something abruptly, as in fishing or hooking; in engineering, a protrusion that causes entanglement or a defect.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in negative contexts to describe unforeseen issues; can be both literal (physical tear) and figurative (problem).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'snag' is also informal slang for a sausage, especially influenced by Australian English. In American English, it primarily means an obstacle or tear.
Connotations
In BrE, when referring to sausages, it is casual and colloquial. In AmE, for problems, it is neutral but slightly informal.
Frequency
More common in AmE for problem contexts; in BrE, the sausage meaning is regionally specific, e.g., in Australia and UK slang.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
snag something (verb)snag on something (verb)a snag in something (noun)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hit a snag”
- “catch a snag”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe unforeseen problems in projects or deals, e.g., 'The merger hit a snag during negotiations.'
Academic
Less common; may appear in informal discussions about research hurdles, e.g., 'We faced a snag in data collection.'
Everyday
Common for minor issues in daily life, e.g., 'There's a snag with the car, so we'll be late.'
Technical
In engineering, refers to protrusions or catches; in fishing, to hook fish illegally or accidentally, e.g., 'The gear snagged on debris.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He snagged his jumper on a nail.
- We managed to snag the last tickets to the show.
American English
- She snagged her dress on the fence.
- He snagged a great deal during the online sale.
adjective
British English
- The snag list for the new build was extensive.
- Snag-free operation is crucial for the machine.
American English
- We identified snag points in the software code.
- Snag-resistant materials are used in outdoor gear.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There was a snag in my plan.
- I hit a snag while sewing my shirt.
- We encountered a minor snag during the meeting.
- Her dress got a snag from the thorny bush.
- The project hit a snag when funding was cut unexpectedly.
- He snagged the opportunity before anyone else could.
- Despite several snags, the implementation proceeded with minimal disruption.
- The lawyer snagged a crucial piece of evidence during the investigation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'snag' as a 'snag' in a sweater – a small tear that causes a problem.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE PHYSICAL OBSTACLES or HINDRANCES ARE SNAGS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Might confuse with 'снаг' (not a word) or translate directly as 'препятствие', but 'snag' is often minor and informal.
- In Russian, 'зацепка' or 'помеха' might be closer, but context matters for accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'snag' as a verb without an object, e.g., 'It snagged' instead of 'It snagged on something'.
- Confusing 'snag' with 'snaggle' or using it in overly formal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
What is a common meaning of 'snag' in American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally neutral to informal; often used in spoken English and casual writing, but can appear in business or technical contexts with specific meanings.
Yes, as a verb it means to catch, tear, or obtain something abruptly or with difficulty, e.g., 'to snag a bargain' or 'to snag fabric'.
'Snag' often implies a minor, unexpected obstacle that causes a temporary delay, while 'problem' can be more general, serious, and long-lasting.
In British English, besides meaning an obstacle or tear, it can informally refer to a sausage, especially in Australian and UK slang contexts, such as 'a barbecue with snags'.