ready to crack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ready to crack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is on the verge of breaking down emotionally or mentally, or it can refer to something that is about to break or fail. Example: "After weeks of stress and pressure, she felt like she was ready to crack under the weight of it all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Nor indeed is it ready to crack down on them.

The Economist

Business P1 Financial Times EU signals it is ready to crack down on Google's Android.

The Guardian

Well, that's a tough old heart, and I'm not sure the Chinese are ready to crack it yet.

The New Yorker

The military, which has held back from clearing out the protesters for fear of bloodshed, now appeared ready to crack down.

The New York Times

Pharmacies are unhappy, but regulators do not seem ready to crack down on buyers, many of whom are older and on limited incomes.

The New York Times

Newly appointed Iraqi officials said at news conferences that they were ready to crack down hard on the insurgency after June 30.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

He is reckoned to be even more conservative than his mentor, and even readier to crack heads to defend national security and the revered monarchy.

The Economist

Strings have most likely rusted or may be about ready to break and hardware may crack or completely break; and more so for cast items.

WikiHow

So when their invincible endgame finally showed a crack last night, the Yankees' championship run appeared ready to break with it.

The New York Times - Sports

He cried at the finish, living in the moment, having made prophets of friends who told him, even here, Sampras's icy countenance was ready to be cracked.

The New York Times - Sports

There's also no information on when these things will start trickling out into the public, but the way the cards are stacked and shrink-wrapped makes it look like they're ready to be cracked open and stuck on peg hooks.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ready to crack" to convey a sense of impending breakdown or decisive action. Ensure the context clearly indicates whether it refers to emotional state or a physical situation.

Common error

Avoid using "ready to crack" when you intend to convey resilience or strength. This phrase typically suggests vulnerability or impending failure, not the opposite.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ready to crack" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being on the verge of breaking, either physically or emotionally. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ready to crack" is a common expression used to describe something or someone on the verge of breaking down, either physically or emotionally. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media. The phrase functions as an adjectival phrase, conveying a sense of imminent failure or vulnerability. While suitable for neutral and informal contexts, more formal alternatives may be preferred in professional settings. Common synonyms include "on the verge of collapse" and "about to break". It's important to use "ready to crack" carefully, ensuring it accurately reflects the intended meaning of impending breakdown rather than resilience. Ludwig examples show its versatile application across different scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about to break

Focuses on the immediate possibility of something breaking, either physically or emotionally.

near the breaking point

Highlights proximity to the limit of what can be endured.

on the verge of collapse

This alternative emphasizes the imminence of a breakdown or failure.

on the point of giving way

Emphasizes the imminence of a collapse or failure under pressure.

on the brink of failure

Highlights the closeness to a state of failure or collapse.

close to snapping

Implies a state of extreme tension or pressure about to result in a breakdown.

nearing its limit

Focuses on the approach to a maximum capacity or tolerance, suggesting potential failure.

at the end of one's rope

Suggests a state of desperation and near collapse.

reaching a critical point

Indicates a situation approaching a decisive moment, possibly leading to a negative outcome.

prepared to act decisively

Shifts the focus to a proactive stance, indicating readiness to take strong action.

FAQs

How can I use "ready to crack" in a sentence?

You can use "ready to crack" to describe a person who is emotionally strained, like: "After the intense pressure, she seemed "ready to crack"." It can also describe a physical object close to breaking.

What's a less common way to say "ready to crack"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of collapse", "about to break", or "near the breaking point" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different perspective on the imminence of failure or breakdown.

Is "ready to crack" formal or informal?

"Ready to crack" is generally considered suitable for both neutral and informal contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "approaching a critical point" or "nearing its limit".

What does it mean when something is "ready to crack"?

It implies that something, whether a person's emotional state or a physical object, is under so much pressure that it is about to break or fail. It suggests a point of vulnerability or instability.