simple past tense and past participle of crack
"The old glass vase cracked when I dropped it on the floor."
In plain English: To crack something means to break it with a sharp sound so that pieces separate but don't fall apart completely.
"The old mug cracked when I dropped it on the floor."
of paint or varnish; having the appearance of alligator hide
"The old porch had cracked paint that looked like dried alligator skin after a harsh winter."
Broken so that cracks appear on, or under, the surface.
"The old ceramic plate was cracked after being dropped on the floor."
In plain English: Cracked means broken with visible lines running through it, often from pressure or impact.
"The old coffee mug was cracked, so I couldn't drink from it anymore."
Usage: Use cracked to describe surfaces like glass, leather, or earth where fissures have formed due to stress or drying. Do not use it interchangeably with broken when referring to objects shattered into separate pieces.
The slang meaning of "cracked" to describe someone skilled in a game likely comes from the older phrase "crack shot," which referred to an expert marksman. While its exact origin remains disputed, this usage suggests that being "cracked" at something means having exceptional ability.