noun / verb
snag
SNAG/snæɡ/
A projecting point that catches passing material.
The snag catches the knitted sleeve.
Etymology
The word originally meant a tree stump or branch, later including submerged wood dangerous to boats. This physical obstruction provides the image behind an unexpected problem; the precise Scandinavian ancestor is not identified.
In context
the hay field is growing well but preparations for the harvest have hit a snag
More examples
- She sands the wooden rail to remove any snags.
- My sweater snags on a nail sticking out of the bench.
- A thorn snagged his shirt and tore a small hole.
Forms
snag · snags · snagged · snagging