1
general::
Phrase(s): 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., Phrase(s): 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., Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
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]
American Heritage Idioms