crack of lightning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crack of lightning" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the sudden sound or noise that accompanies a flash of lightning during a thunderstorm. Example: As the storm raged on, the crack of lightning lit up the sky and shook the ground beneath our feet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then I saw a huge crack of lightning and I asked, "Hey, is there lightning in this scene?" And they said, "No".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He cleared his throat and raised his voice to be heard over the sound of brandished swords, cracks of lightning, and "Star Wars -esque bloops echoing around him.

The New Yorker

But the umpire crew chief, Gary Darling, despite seeing several cracks of lightning brighten the sky above, had the teams play on.

The New York Times - Sports

His fingers dig a spike attached to his chains out of the wet wood below him, and once he frees himself he leads a slave rebellion aboard his ship, its images of uprising captured mostly in the cracks of lightning above them.

Vice

Bolts of lightning crack in the distance as we walk toward Conway's dig site, located just a stone's throw from the road along the bank of a grassy creek.

Huffington Post

A bolt of lightning cracked and flashed.

The New Yorker

BD: The phrase actually comes from a poem: "Whips of lightning cracks the sky".

Huffington Post

The Christian Dior show started with a crack of thunder and a lightning flash — and that might have been how it came to Mr. Galliano that he did not have to bury his collections in a romantic past, just take the historical elements of masculine and feminine and couple them together.

The New York Times

Then, in the lightning crack of glove on chin, they both were gifted a new excuse to sit down and talk: it arrived one second from the end of round six in the non-title bout in the Grand Arena at the MGM Grand on Saturday between Márquez and Pacquiao – a single punch, which rendered the Filipino senseless for a worryingly long time and simultaneously changed the boxing landscape.

The Guardian - Sport

We learned that since the crack of distant thunder meant lightning might strike at any moment, we had better seek shelter lest we be burned to a crisp when we heard it.

Huffington Post

Our Land Rover aquaplanes, chased by bolts of lightning, as cracks of thunder fall like boulders around us.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crack of lightning" to vividly describe a sudden, loud burst of electrical discharge in the sky during a storm. It's most effective when emphasizing the immediate, sharp sound.

Common error

Avoid using "crack of lightning" to describe other sharp, cracking sounds that aren't related to lightning. For example, don't use it to describe the sound of breaking wood or a gunshot.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crack of lightning" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the sharp, sudden sound produced by a lightning strike. Ludwig examples show usage in describing events and enhancing narrative impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "crack of lightning" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase to describe the sharp, sudden sound produced by a lightning strike. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across various contexts, including news, media, science, and more informal settings. While sources like The New York Times and The Guardian employ it, its function remains primarily descriptive, adding vividness and impact to writing. Be mindful to use it for sounds genuinely related to lightning to avoid misapplication. Alternatives like ""bolt of lightning"" and ""thunderclap"" can be used based on whether the visual or auditory aspects are to be emphasized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bolt of lightning

Focuses on the visual aspect of lightning.

flash of lightning

Emphasizes the sudden burst of light.

peal of thunder

Shifts the focus to the auditory experience associated with storms.

thunderclap

Condenses the sound into a single, impactful term.

lightning strike

Highlights the action of lightning hitting a target.

electrical storm

Broadens the scope to encompass the entire atmospheric event.

thunder and lightning

Combines the auditory and visual elements of a storm.

the sound of thunder

Focuses on the audio experience associated with storms.

clap of thunder

Emphasizes the loud, sudden sound of thunder.

lightning flash

Highlights the sudden burst of light from lightning.

FAQs

How can I use "crack of lightning" in a sentence?

You can use "crack of lightning" to vividly describe a sudden, loud burst of electrical discharge in the sky. For example: "The "crack of lightning" split the night sky, followed by a deafening roar of thunder."

What's a good alternative to "crack of lightning"?

Alternatives include "bolt of lightning", "flash of lightning", or "thunderclap", depending on whether you want to emphasize the visual or auditory aspect of the storm.

Is it correct to say 'bolt of lightning' instead of "crack of lightning"?

Yes, ""bolt of lightning"" is a correct and commonly used alternative. While "crack of lightning" emphasizes the sound, ""bolt of lightning"" highlights the visual discharge.

What is the difference between "crack of lightning" and "peal of thunder"?

"Crack of lightning" refers specifically to the sharp, sudden sound produced by a lightning discharge, while "peal of thunder" describes the prolonged, resonant sound that follows a lightning strike.