Snap out of it
Meaning: Wake up and stop dwelling on something; pull yourself together quickly.
A command to immediately stop being in a negative mental state — whether it's sadness, distraction, daydreaming, or self-pity. Implies the person can choose to change their state with a quick mental 'snap.'
Examples
- He's been moping for weeks. Somebody needs to tell him to snap out of it. 他已经消沉好几个星期了。得有人让他清醒过来。Lleva semanas deprimido. Alguien tiene que decirle que espabile (snap out of it).彼はもう何週間もふさぎ込んでいる。誰かが目を覚まさせないと。그는 몇 주째 시무룩해 있어. 누군가가 정신 차리라고 말해줘야 해.
- Snap out of it — we have a deadline to meet! 别发呆了——我们有截止日期要赶!¡Espabila (Snap out of it)! ¡Tenemos una fecha de entrega que cumplir!いつまでもぼんやりしてないで——締め切りがあるんだぞ!그만 멍 때리고 정신 차려——마감이 있잖아!
- I slapped some cold water on my face to snap out of it. 我往脸上泼了冷水,让自己清醒过来。Me eché agua fría en la cara para espabilarme (snap out of it).冷たい水を顔にかけて、気持ちを切り替えた。찬물을 얼굴에 뿌려서 정신을 차렸어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: motivation, tough love, distraction
Tone: urgent, commanding
✓ Do Say
- Snap out of it!Snap out of it!(清醒过来!)¡Espabila! (Snap out of it!)目を覚ませ!정신 차려!
- I had to snap out of it.I had to snap out of it.(我不得不振作起来。)Tuve que espabilarme. (I had to snap out of it.)気持ちを切り替えなきゃいけなかった。정신을 차려야 했어.
✗ Don't Say
- Insensitive when directed at clinical depression or grief.对临床抑郁症或悲痛中的人使用会显得不够敏感。Resulta insensible cuando se dirige a alguien con depresión clínica o duelo.うつ病や深い悲しみを抱えている人に対しては無神経にあたる。임상적 우울증이나 슬픔에 빠진 사람에게는 무신경하게 들릴 수 있다.
Origin & History
American English expression popularized by Cher's iconic slap scene in 'Moonstruck' (1987), where she yells 'Snap out of it!' at Nicolas Cage. The phrase existed before the film but became legendary because of it.
Cultural Context
Era: Classic — still current
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: All regions
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