crab

[kræb]

crab Definition

  • 1a sea creature with a flat round body covered by a shell, and five pairs of legs, the first of which are modified as pincers
  • 2a crustacean with a broad carapace, stalked eyes, and five pairs of legs, the first pair of which are modified as pincers
  • 3a sour or bad-tempered person, especially an old one

Using crab: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "crab" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    I love eating crab legs.

  • Example

    The beach was full of crabs scurrying around.

  • Example

    He's such a crab in the morning.

  • Example

    She's always crabbing about something.

crab Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using crab

  • a way of thinking where people try to bring others down or prevent them from achieving success, often due to jealousy or resentment

    Example

    The team suffered from crab mentality, with each member trying to sabotage the others' work.

  • go sideways like a crab

    to go off course or become disorganized

    Example

    The project went sideways like a crab when the team leader quit.

  • walk sideways like a crab

    to move in a sideways direction, often awkwardly or with difficulty

    Example

    He had to walk sideways like a crab to fit through the narrow doorway.

Phrases with crab

  • to make a mistake while rowing, so that the oar is pulled into the water and slows the boat down

    Example

    He caught a crab and nearly fell out of the boat.

  • a small, sour apple used for making jelly or cider

    Example

    She made a delicious crab apple pie for dessert.

  • a type of exercise where you walk on your hands and feet with your stomach facing upwards

    Example

    The fitness instructor had us do crab walks across the gym floor.

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Summary: crab in Brief

A 'crab' [kræb] is a sea creature with a flat round body covered by a shell, and five pairs of legs, the first of which are modified as pincers. It can also refer to a sour or bad-tempered person. The term extends into phrases like 'catch a crab,' referring to a rowing mistake, and idioms like 'crab mentality,' denoting a negative mindset. 'Crab' has informal synonyms like 'shellfish' and 'critter.'

How do native speakers use this expression?