noun

crab

crab, grump

We saw a crab on the beach.

We saw a crab on the beach.

Don't be such a crab in the morning.

Don't be such a crab in the morning.

a crab ((noun)) the animal A crab walked sideways on the sand.

to be a crab ((expression)) to be a grumpy person He is a real crab when he's tired.

Synonyms (animal): crustacean; Synonyms (person): grump, grouch

From Old English 'crabba'.

Picture a crab with its pincers up, looking angry or 'crabby'. This links the animal to the grumpy person.

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