Snagged

Snagged is the past tense of snag, a versatile term with several related meanings. The base noun snag can refer to a sharp projection that can catch on something or to an unexpected problem or complication. The verb snag means to catch on or entangle with something, to tear or pull something, or in informal use, to obtain or secure something. The exact origin of snag is uncertain, but it is linked to the sense of catching or snagging on an obstacle.

In everyday usage, snagged commonly describes a physical catch. A garment or fabric can snag on a rough edge or zipper, producing a pulled thread or a small tear. Objects can snag on nails, branches, or equipment, creating a snag that may require repair.

The word also applies to problems or delays in planning and production. A project can snag due to supply shortages, regulatory hurdles, or design issues, meaning it encounters an unexpected obstacle. In this sense, a snag list or punch list is a catalog of defects or incomplete items that must be addressed before completion.

In fishing, to snag a fish means to catch it in a manner that may not involve the intended method, such as hooking or catching on submerged cover. Snagging in fishing is regulated in many places and can be illegal or restricted to prevent harm to fish populations.

Colloquial usage uses snag in the sense of obtaining something, often quickly or opportunistically. A person may say they “snagged” tickets, a job, or a deal, signaling successful acquisition.