snip-snap: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  general Englishinformalonomatopoeic
  • An imitative expression representing the quick sound or action of cutting, snapping, or severing.

  Examples

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  • With a quick snip-snap, she cut the ribbon to open the new community center.

    With a quick snip-snap, she cut the ribbon to open the new community center.

  • The sound of the scissors was a sharp snip-snap as he trimmed the fabric edges.

    The sound of the scissors was a sharp snip-snap as he trimmed the fabric edges.

  • I heard the snip-snap of the branches breaking as the kids played in the yard.

    I heard the snip-snap of the branches breaking as the kids played in the yard.

  • The tailor’s snip-snap echoed through the room while she worked on the dress alterations.

    The tailor’s snip-snap echoed through the room while she worked on the dress alterations.

• 2.

  United Statesgeneral Englishcolloquialplayfulslang
  • A jocular or reduplicative interjection or phrase used for emphasis or rhythmic effect without a precise lexical meaning; often used in playful or emphatic speech.

  Examples

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  • Snip-snap, the children chanted as they played their clapping game during recess.

    Snip-snap, the children chanted as they played their clapping game during recess.

  • He ended his story with a snip-snap to keep everyone laughing at the dinner table.

    He ended his story with a snip-snap to keep everyone laughing at the dinner table.

  • Whenever she wanted to get her brother’s attention, she’d say snip-snap playfully and wave her hands.

    Whenever she wanted to get her brother’s attention, she’d say snip-snap playfully and wave her hands.