crack a smile

crack a smile

To smile. I got the baby to crack a smile by clapping and singing.
See also: crack, smile
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

crack a smile

to grin; to smile. I was tellin' my best jokes, but Jim never cracked a smile. She looked surprised, and then cracked a big, beautiful smile.
See also: crack, smile
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

crack a smile

Smile, as in Betty was a very serious person; she rarely cracked a smile. This colloquialism transfers crack in the sense of "break" to breaking a serious facial expression into a smile.
See also: crack, smile
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • crack some suds
  • crack a tube
  • dirty crack
  • crack the door
  • crack the door (open)
  • hubbas
  • want the first crack at (something)
  • leak out
  • moonrock
  • a fair crack at something
References in periodicals archive
The unexpected reference led to many a raised eyebrow and even caused Victoria to finally crack a smile.
Piers Morgan savages David and Victoria Beckham for chewing gum and looking miserable at the royal wedding; The Good Morning Britain host joked that David can forget his knighthood now
See, English can be fun and can crack a smile among the most morose.
Now you can crack a smile and never mind the beeswax.
The Diary
Among the guests arriving for the blessing were Owen's former Liverpool team-mates Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, but most failed to even crack a smile as their cars swept past the assembled press pack.
Smile folks . . . you're going to a wedding
Next time you come across a grump in the dumps, flash him a grin and a cheerful "hello." Most people will crack a smile or at least lose the sullen look.
Go ahead, make my day! Your mission brighten someone else's day. Equipment your natural charm and creativity, plus GL's 10 simple starter ideas. Guaranteed result you'll make someone smile and feel loads better yourself!
If he got the joke and laughed, then I was encouraged to crack a smile, too.
My high school spirit: how a caged adolescent heart learned about the meaning of Pentecost. (testaments)