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# hack

verb (hack, hacks, hacked, hacking); noun (a hack, hacks)

«hack» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To hack means to cut something roughly with hard, quick strokes, like with an axe or a big knife. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#m1)
2. To hack into a computer means to get into it without permission, to steal or change information. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#m2)
3. A hack (life hack) is a clever, quick trick that makes something easier. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#m3)
4. A hacking cough is a rough, dry, repeated cough. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#m4)
5. «Can't hack it» (informal) means can't cope with something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#m5)

### In the lessons

In online safety lessons, hacking is breaking into accounts or computers, which is illegal and harmful; strong passwords and two-step checks help stop it. In everyday life a «life hack» is a handy trick, like using a peg to keep a crisp bag closed. In stories explorers hack their way through a jungle. Phrases: «hack into», «hack through», «hack away at», «life hack», «get hacked», «hacking cough».

### Examples

- They hacked their way through the thick jungle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#x1)
- Someone hacked into my brother's game account. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#x2)
- Use a strong password so you don't get hacked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#x3)
- Here's a hack: roll your socks to save space. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#x4)
- He had a hacking cough all week. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#x5)
- The thief hacked the website to steal data. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#x6)
- She hacked at the brambles with shears. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#x7)
- Hacking into other people's computers is against the law. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#x8)
- As he was hacking at one of the roots the axe struck on something hard. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/#x9)

### Note

Regular verb: hacked, hacking. A person who hacks computers is a «hacker»; «ethical hackers» are allowed to test systems to make them safer. Safety: if your account is hacked, tell an adult and change your password; never share passwords, even with friends.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «hack» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hack/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«hack» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/hack.html) on Mova free.