snap off

snap off

1. To break or detach (from something) with minimal force, especially resulting in an audible snap. The wings of the model airplane simply snap off, allowing you to mix and match different styles. Be careful with that vase! I don't want the decorative flower petals to snap off.
2. To break or detach something (from something else), especially with an audible snap. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "snap" and "off." I snapped a branch off of the tree and began sharpening it with my knife. You'll need to snap off the back panel of the computer to access the CPU.
3. To turn off some electronic device, especially a television or radio. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "snap" and "off." My mother hates that politician so much that she snaps off the TV whenever he comes on. He got up from his chair, snapped the radio off, and shuffled out of the room.
See also: off, snap
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

snap something off

to break off something brittle. Liz snapped a bit of the rock off and put it in her bag. Carl snapped off a piece of the candy and gave it to Timmy.
See also: off, snap
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • snap in
  • snap into
  • snap into (something)
  • snap on
  • be a snap
  • it's a snap
  • snap to it
  • Snap to it!
  • snap onto (something)
  • snap out
References in periodicals archive
'There are what I call yolk bayonets around the side which you snap off. I hope to get that word in the dictionary.'
Now Mike's perfect soldiers are staging an invasion... of your breakfast table
Flight controllers feared it would snap off or suffer irrevocable damage, so they suspended aerobraking for 3 weeks.
Mars mapping postponed
The side effects do include headaches, but they could say it made your feet swell to the size of small sheep and your ears turn brittle and snap off in high winds and guys wouldn't care.
Keep recycling
"I want it all, Lord/the heights and the depths," goes the flag of a quote from Theodore Roethke that is raised at the end of this book, and a veteran Sallemane has no choice but to snap off a weary, game salute.
David Salle: 1979-1994
I am not suggesting that we snap off our news programs for fear of watching them for the wrong reasons.
Clicking your channels to kingdom numb
For years, my solution was to snap off the dull tip with pliers (my cheapskate reputation is legendary).
Double-life blades
The Marine Rescue Unit was called to New Ferry on Monday afternoon at around 1pm after a fastflowing tide forced the yacht under the structures which protrude out into the Mersey and caused the yacht's mast to snap off.
Rescue unit retrieve drifting yachts
Even worse, if you use a wrench to try to unscrew 'em, they snap off.
Rust removal made easy
"I saw the doctor and he said as long as it doesn't snap off it's fine.
Pedroia OK after hand surgery
The force of the collision caused her mirror to snap off and fly threw her side window.
Woman airlifted from crash scene
It is thought the culprits scaled scaffolding on Cardiff Castle to snap off the 2ft-long hour hands in what officials are calling 'pure vandalism'.
RAIDERS STRIKE AT THE CASTLE
And the exotic blue and yellow macaw was nursing his battle wounds last night after the thieves tried to snap off his long tail and wings.
Parrot in a flap at robbery
Baseball caps will often have a weaker peak which may snap off.
How to spot a lookalike
"If the pili were like a pencil," explains Bullitt, "they would just snap off " Instead, they can stretch slightly and bounce back.
Helical protein helps E. coli hang on
Meanwhile, wash asparagus and snap off and discard tough ends.
Asparagus, asparagus, asparagus