noun
snag
snag
noun
1
An unexpected problem or obstacle.
"We hit a snag with the visa application."
"Everything went well until we ran into a snag with the plumbing."
2
A small tear or pulled thread in fabric caused by catching on something sharp.
"There's a snag in these tights already."
verb
1
To catch or tear on something sharp or rough.
"Her jumper snagged on the fence."
2
Informally, to manage to get or obtain something, often quickly or opportunistically.
"He snagged the last ticket to the sold-out show."
How to Use Snag
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small but annoying problem, or a small tear from something catching — also used casually to mean "grab" or "get."
Common pairings
hit a snag
snag a bargain
snag your tights
Word Forms
snagged past tense, snags plural, snags plural, snags plural, snags singular
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Etymology
From an earlier sense meaning a stump or sharp projecting branch, borrowed from Old Norse snagi ("clothes peg"), later extended to any sharp obstacle.