tap
tap — verb
- tappresent simple I / you / we / they
- tapshe / she / it
- tappedpast simple
- tapping-ing form
1. to make a quick, light touch against someone or something, usually producing a s
to make a quick, light touch against someone or something, usually producing a short sound — for example, tapping a friend's arm to get their attention, or moving your fingers up and down on a table in time with music.
Christopher tapped his friend on the shoulder to show him the bird outside the window.
tap + person + on + body part
Roya tapped the desk with her pen while she was thinking about the maths problem.
tap + noun + with + instrument
Someone tapped gently on the front door, but no one came to answer it.
intransitive: tap on [surface]
Old pipes in the wall began to tap when the heating came on.
Élise tapped her foot to the beat of the jazz music playing on the radio.
tap + body part + to [rhythm]
- tap on the shoulder
- tap the table
- tap a rhythm
- tap with a finger
- tap against the glass
- tap on the door
- pound
to hit hard and repeatedly with force
Grammar Patterns
tap + noun phrase (the thing hit)
tap + noun phrase + on + noun phrase
tap +
tap + preposition + noun phrase
Usage Note
Commonly used with 'on' or 'against' to indicate the surface being touched. Subject can be a person, body part, or an object making a repetitive light sound.
Common Mistakes
2. to gently press the display of a mobile phone, tablet, or similar gadget with on
to gently press the display of a mobile phone, tablet, or similar gadget with one finger, which causes the gadget to perform an action — for instance, opening a program, choosing an image, or playing a film clip.
Amelia tapped the weather icon on her phone to check if it would rain today.
tap + [screen element] + on + [device]
Feng tapped the photo twice to zoom in and see the details of the building.
To send the message, just tap the arrow button at the bottom of the screen.
instructional: 'to [purpose], tap [button]'
Linh tapped the alarm icon to turn it off and went back to sleep.
The waiter tapped the payment screen on the tablet and handed it to the customer.
- tap the screen
- tap the icon
- tap the button
- tap to open
- tap twice
- tap and hold
Grammar Patterns
tap + noun phrase (screen / icon / button)
Usage Note
The object is usually a specific part of the screen interface (icon, button, link), not the device itself (you tap the screen on your phone, not the phone).
Common Mistakes
3. to produce written text by pressing the buttons on a computer, phone, or laptop
to produce written text by pressing the buttons on a computer, phone, or laptop keyboard, especially with quick, light finger movements — commonly used when describing how someone composes messages or documents on an electronic device.
Zola tapped out a quick reply to her sister's message while waiting for the bus.
tap out + [text]
Imran tapped his message one-handed while holding the baby in the other arm.
The journalist tapped away at her keyboard, finishing the article before the deadline.
tap away at + [device]
Yael tapped the letters carefully because the keyboard on the phone was very small.
- tap out a message
- tap a reply
- tap on the keyboard
- tap away at
Grammar Patterns
tap + out + noun phrase
tap + adverb/preposition
Usage Note
Commonly used in the phrasal form 'tap out' to mean typing a complete message, and 'tap away at' to suggest continuous typing. Less formal than 'type'.
Common Mistakes
4. to bring a payment card, mobile phone, or smartwatch close to an electronic read
to bring a payment card, mobile phone, or smartwatch close to an electronic reader so that money can be taken from your account or so that you can pass through a gate — for instance, holding a credit card near the machine at a store checkout, or touching a travel card against the barrier at a train platform.
Paloma tapped her credit card on the payment machine and the transaction went through.
tap + [payment card] + on + [reader]
Commuters tapped their phones against the turnstile reader as they entered the station.
Ada forgot her wallet, so she tapped her smartwatch at the checkout counter to pay.
The bus driver reminded passengers to tap their travel cards when getting off.
instructional context
Eli tapped his student ID on the library door sensor and the lock clicked open.
- tap a card
- tap to pay
- tap on the reader
- tap your phone
- tap and go
Grammar Patterns
tap + noun phrase + on + noun phrase
tap + noun phrase + against + noun phrase
Usage Note
Objects are typically payment methods (card, phone, watch) or access cards. The reader is introduced with 'on' or 'against'. Common in transport and retail contexts.
Common Mistakes
5. to use or get something valuable from a supply or source that already exists — f
to use or get something valuable from a supply or source that already exists — for example, a company tapping new markets to increase sales, or a writer tapping her personal experiences for a novel.
The startup plans to tap the growing market for electric bikes in Southeast Asia.
tap + [market / resource]
Amelia tapped into the library's online database to find articles for her research paper.
tap into + [source of information]
To fund the project, the city decided to tap its emergency reserve funds.
tap + [financial resource]
The coach tapped into the team's hidden potential and led them to victory.
By offering language classes, the school hopes to tap a wider group of international students.
- tap resources
- tap the market
- tap potential
- tap into a network
- tap expertise
- squander
to waste a resource rather than put it to good use
Grammar Patterns
tap + noun phrase
tap + into + noun phrase
Usage Note
The phrasal verb 'tap into' is more common in everyday speech. 'Tap' alone (without 'into') is more formal or business-oriented — e.g., 'tap resources', 'tap markets'. The source being drawn from is typically abstract (market, potential, network, data).
Common Mistakes
6. to secretly listen to someone's phone calls by connecting a small device to thei
to secretly listen to someone's phone calls by connecting a small device to their telephone line or by intercepting their signal — an activity typically done by police, spies, or private investigators, usually without the person's knowledge.
Police obtained a warrant to tap the suspect's phone after finding evidence.
tap + [person's] + phone — legal context
The journalist suspected someone had tapped her office line because her sources kept leaking.
In the spy novel, agents tap a phone by installing a tiny listening device inside it.
Detective Molina tapped the suspect's phone from a van parked outside the warehouse.
tap + [person's] + phone — location + context
- tap a phone
- tap a line
- tap a call
- phone tapping
- wiretap warrant
Grammar Patterns
tap + noun phrase (phone / line / call)
Usage Note
Frequently used in passive constructions ('the line was tapped', 'their phones were being tapped'). Legal context is important: tapping a phone is usually illegal unless authorized by a court order (warrant).
Common Mistakes
7. to officially select a person to take on a specific position, role, or responsib
to officially select a person to take on a specific position, role, or responsibility — for example, when a committee taps a member to lead a project or when a company taps an employee for a promotion.
The board tapped Caleb to lead the new marketing division.
tap + person + to-infinitive
Élise was tapped for head nurse after only three years at the hospital.
passive: be tapped for + role
Sofia felt honored when the mayor tapped her as the new city planning director.
tap + person + as + role
The committee tapped Christopher to organize the annual charity fundraiser.
Kwame was tapped for the position of regional manager last spring.
- tapped for the role
- tapped as director
- tapped to lead
- tapped for the position
Grammar Patterns
tap + person + for/as + role
tap + person + to-infinitive
be tapped for/as + role
Usage Note
Commonly appears in the passive voice (be tapped). The subject is usually a group in authority — a board, committee, organization, or government. The object is always a person being selected for an official role, not for a casual task.
Common Mistakes
8. to make a hole in a tree trunk and collect the liquid that flows out; also, to p
to make a hole in a tree trunk and collect the liquid that flows out; also, to pierce a container so that its contents can be removed — for example, tapping a maple tree for syrup or tapping a wine barrel to fill bottles.
Every spring the farm workers tap the maple trees to collect the sweet sap.
tap + tree + to-infinitive for purpose
Minho's grandfather taught him how to tap a birch tree without damaging the bark.
The workers tapped the barrel and carefully filled each bottle with the aged wine.
tap + container for liquid
In New England, families tap their own trees and boil the sap for maple syrup.
Cyrus watched the farmer tap the rubber tree so the white liquid dripped out.
- tap a maple tree
- tap a barrel
- tap sap
- tap rubber
- tap a birch
Grammar Patterns
tap + noun phrase (tree, barrel, container)
Usage Note
Trees typically tapped for sap include maple, birch, and rubber. For containers, the object is a barrel, cask, keg, or similar vessel — not a modern bottle or can.
Common Mistakes
9. to produce a short speech sound by quickly striking the tip of the tongue agains
to produce a short speech sound by quickly striking the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth just behind the upper front teeth — for example, the sound of the letter 'r' in Japanese or Spanish between vowels.
In Spanish, speakers tap the tongue for the 'r' sound in words like 'pero'.
tap + the tongue (+ body part modifier)
The linguistics student practiced how to tap her tongue for the Japanese 'r' sound.
Unlike a trill, when you tap the tongue the contact lasts only a split second.
tap vs. trill contrast
Some English speakers tap the tongue for the middle 't' in words like 'butter'.
Heather's professor asked her to identify which sounds require a tap against the alveolar ridge.
- tap the tongue
- tap against the ridge
- tap the alveolar ridge
- produce a tap
- flap
used interchangeably in most linguistic descriptions, though some distinguish them by the direction of tongue movement
Grammar Patterns
tap + the tongue + against/on + the roof of the mouth / the alveolar ridge
Usage Note
This is a technical term in phonetics. The key difference between a tap and a trill is duration: a tap involves one quick contact, while a trill involves multiple rapid contacts. Tap is often used interchangeably with 'flap' in modern linguistics literature.
10. to perform a style of rhythmic dance that uses special shoes with metal plates a
to perform a style of rhythmic dance that uses special shoes with metal plates attached to the soles and heels, creating sharp clicking sounds as the dancer strikes the floor.
Talia learned to tap at age six and now performs in a local dance troupe.
learn to tap
The dancers tapped across the wooden stage to a swinging jazz melody.
Arjun spent months practicing how to tap at different speeds to match the orchestra.
tap + adverbial of manner
Every Saturday the studio holds a beginner class where children learn to tap.
Mathieu and his partner tapped together in perfect sync during the final number.
- learn to tap
- tap across the floor
- tap to the music
- tap together
- tap-dance
the hyphenated verb form, equally common and slightly more transparent
Grammar Patterns
tap + adverbial (across, on, to)
learn to tap
tap + the + beat / rhythm
Usage Note
This verb is intransitive — you cannot 'tap something' in this sense. To describe the activity you can also use 'tap dance' as a verb phrase: 'She tap-dances every weekend.' Adverbials of place (across the floor) and manner (to the beat, loudly) are common.
Common Mistakes
tap into
phrasal verbto use or take something from a supply, source, or group that is available — for example, tapping into a friend's professional network to find a job, or tapping into a country's oil reserves.
The non-profit organization tapped into a network of local volunteers to help with the food drive.
Christopher tapped into his savings to pay for the unexpected car repairs.
tap off
phrasal verbto touch a card or phone against an electronic reader when leaving a bus, train, or other form of public transport to record the end of a journey and calculate the correct fare.
Passengers must tap off when they leave the station, or the system will charge the maximum fare.
Roya forgot to tap off and was charged for a trip across the whole city.
tap on
phrasal verbto touch a card or phone against an electronic reader at the start of a journey on public transport to record the beginning of a trip.
Commuters tap on at the gate and tap off at their destination station.
The machine beeps twice when you tap on successfully with your travel card.
tap for
phrasal verbTo ask someone for money or help, often in a persistent way.
Maya tapped her uncle for a loan to start her bakery.
Did Diego tap you for a donation to the charity run?
tap in
phrasal verbTo connect to a system, network, or conversation by using a device or code.
Sara tapped in the password to access the company server.
Brian tapped in to the conference call using his phone.
tap out
phrasal verbTo surrender or give up, especially by tapping the ground or a person in a fight.
After a long struggle, the wrestler tapped out in the third round.
Aiden tapped out when he realized he couldn't solve the puzzle.
tap — noun
- tapsingular
- tapsplural
1. a device fitted to a pipe or container that you turn to let water or other liqui
a device fitted to a pipe or container that you turn to let water or other liquids flow out or to stop the flow
Jin turned the tap on and filled the kettle with water.
collocation: turn the tap on/off
Remember to turn the tap off tightly after washing your hands.
Lien left the tap running while she answered the phone.
collocation: leave the tap running
The plumber replaced the old bathroom tap with a modern chrome one.
- turn the tap on/off
- hot/cold tap
- leave the tap running
- kitchen tap
- bathroom tap
- faucet
American English term for the same device; less common in British English
Usage Note
Often used with the verbs 'turn on/off' to describe starting or stopping the flow. 'Tap' is the usual word in British English; 'faucet' is more common in American English.
Common Mistakes
2. a person, system, or channel that supplies something valuable — for example, mon
a person, system, or channel that supplies something valuable — for example, money, data, or talent — in a steady stream
The government decided to turn off the tap of funding for the failing project.
collocation: turn off the tap of [something]
New trade agreements opened up a fresh tap of investment from overseas markets.
Vivek's network of contacts became a steady tap of business opportunities.
The university acted as a vital tap of skilled graduates for local technology companies.
- turn on/off the tap of
- stem the tap of
- open a tap of
- a steady tap of
- source
more general; 'tap' emphasises continuous flow
- supply
broader term; 'tap' suggests controlled release
- wellspring
more literary and positive in tone
Grammar Patterns
tap + of + noun
Usage Note
Used figuratively, typically in the phrase 'turn on/off the tap of something'. The subject is usually an organization, government, or system rather than a person.
3. a valve or handle on a gas pipe that you turn to let gas flow or to stop it
a valve or handle on a gas pipe that you turn to let gas flow or to stop it
Owen checked that the gas tap was fully closed before leaving the house.
collocation: close/turn off the gas tap
The kitchen gas tap was stuck, so Sivan called a technician to repair it.
After detecting a strong smell, Elena turned off the gas tap at the main valve.
Paul showed his son where the gas tap was in case of an emergency.
- gas tap
- turn off the gas tap
- close the gas tap
- main gas tap
- gas valve
the more technical term; 'gas tap' is more common in everyday British speech
Usage Note
Safety-critical item in households. In British English, 'gas tap' is common; American English more often uses 'gas valve' or 'gas shut-off valve'.
4. a handle or valve attached to a beer barrel or its connecting pipe, used to let
a handle or valve attached to a beer barrel or its connecting pipe, used to let beer flow out for serving
Femi pulled the beer tap forward and filled a tall glass with dark ale.
collocation: pull the beer tap
The pub's beer tap needed cleaning because it kept producing too much foam.
Each stall at the festival had its own beer tap connected to a small barrel.
Lakan installed a new beer tap in the basement for weekend parties with friends.
- beer tap
- pull the tap
- on tap (beer barrel)
Usage Note
Commonly found in pubs, bars, and festivals. You 'pull' a beer tap toward you to serve beer.
5. poured straight from a barrel by means of a tap, instead of coming from a bottle
poured straight from a barrel by means of a tap, instead of coming from a bottle or can
The local pub has ten different beers on tap this weekend.
fixed phrase: [beer] on tap
Rania prefers lager on tap because it tastes fresher than bottled beer.
We asked the bartender which ales were on tap tonight.
The new craft brewery downtown only sells its own ale on tap.
- beer on tap
- have something on tap
- ales on tap
- lager on tap
- draught beer
the more formal term; 'on tap' is the everyday conversational expression
Usage Note
Only used after a linking verb or as an adverbial phrase. Always appears as part of the fixed expression 'on tap' — do not say 'on the tap' or 'on a tap'.
Common Mistakes
6. available immediately and in large amounts whenever you need them, like a resour
available immediately and in large amounts whenever you need them, like a resource that can be drawn on at will
As a research assistant, Elena had expert librarians on tap to help with any question.
figurative: [resource] on tap
With a streaming subscription, thousands of films are on tap at any moment.
The hotel offers guests a twenty-four-hour concierge service on tap.
Mira liked her new job because mentors and training materials were always on tap.
- have something on tap
- information on tap
- expertise on tap
- service on tap
- available
neutral and broad; 'on tap' adds a sense of abundance and immediacy
- at hand
suggests physical proximity rather than general availability
- readily accessible
more formal register
- unavailable
general opposite
- scarce
emphasises limited quantity rather than unavailability
Usage Note
Extended figurative use of the beer 'on tap' phrase. Fits contexts where expertise, information, money, or services are readily accessible. Not used for physical objects.
Common Mistakes
7. a quick, light hit made with your hand, fingers, or an object, or the short soun
a quick, light hit made with your hand, fingers, or an object, or the short sound produced by such a hit
Rohan gave a gentle tap on the window to get his brother's attention.
give a [adjective] tap on [surface] — common verb-noun pattern
A soft tap on the shoulder made Nadia turn around in the crowd.
The only sound in the room was the tap of rain against the glass door.
the tap of [something] — describes a repetitive light sound
Amira heard two quick taps at the door before the letter slid through.
A single tap on the keyboard was enough to turn the screen back on.
a single tap on [object] — one quick touch
- a tap on the [body part]
- a tap at the door
- give a tap
- hear a tap
- a single tap
- a gentle tap
- the tap of [something]
- bang
a loud, heavy hit
Usage Note
Often combined with a preposition such as 'on' or 'at' to indicate what is being touched: 'a tap on the window', 'a tap at the door'. When describing a sound, the pattern 'the tap of + [noun]' is common, e.g. 'the tap of footsteps'.
Common Mistakes
8. a style of dance in which the dancer wears shoes with metal plates on the sole a
a style of dance in which the dancer wears shoes with metal plates on the sole and heel, making rhythmic clicking sounds as the feet hit the floor; also, one of those metal plates itself
Kenji took tap lessons for three years before his first stage performance.
tap lessons / take tap — common educational collocations
The metal tap on Aoi's shoe came loose during the second routine.
Élise replaced the worn taps on her dancing shoes before the competition.
replace the taps on [shoes] — maintenance collocation
Ayesha's tap routine included fast footwork that amazed the audience.
The theatre offered a weekly tap class for beginners on Tuesday evenings.
tap class — short for tap dancing class
- tap class
- tap lessons
- tap routine
- do tap
- take tap
- taps on shoes
- replace the taps
- tap dancing
the full form of the dance style; slightly more formal than 'tap' alone
- step dancing
a broader category that includes tap but also other percussive dance styles
Usage Note
When referring to the dance, 'tap' is used without 'dancing' in informal contexts, e.g. 'I do tap twice a week.' When referring to the metal plate, the phrase 'tap on the shoe' clarifies that the physical object is meant rather than the dance style.
Common Mistakes
9. a small device placed on a telephone line or hidden inside a phone so that conve
a small device placed on a telephone line or hidden inside a phone so that conversations can be overheard without the speakers realizing it
The police found a tap on the company's main telephone line during the investigation.
a tap on [phone line/telephone] — typical preposition pattern
Rohan suspected someone had placed a tap on his office phone after the leak.
A hidden tap in the ambassador's residence recorded every overseas call.
hidden tap — describing the secret nature of the device
The journalist refused to discuss sensitive details in case of a tap on the line.
Technicians swept the room for electronic taps before the secret meeting began.
sweep for taps — security search procedure
- a tap on the [phone line]
- put a tap on [something]
- find a tap
- hidden tap
- sweep for taps
- a phone tap
Usage Note
Frequently used with the preposition 'on' to specify what is being monitored: 'a tap on the phone'. The phrase 'to put a tap on someone's line' is common in crime and spy-related contexts. In formal legal language, 'wiretap' is often preferred.
Common Mistakes
10. a speech sound produced when the tip of the tongue makes a very fast, light cont
a speech sound produced when the tip of the tongue makes a very fast, light contact with the ridge just behind the upper front teeth
In some dialects of English, the /t/ sound between vowels becomes a tap.
becomes a tap — describes a phonetic change between vowels
Linguists call the quick r-like sound in the word 'butter' an alveolar tap.
alveolar tap — full technical term for this sound
Beatrix heard the difference between a tap and a full /d/ sound after months of training.
Karim's study compared the use of the tap sound across three Spanish dialects.
A single tap of the tongue can change a word's meaning in some languages.
a single tap of the tongue — anatomical description of how the sound is made
- alveolar tap
- become a tap
- a tap sound
- pronounced as a tap
- tap vs. flap
- flap
often used interchangeably with 'tap' in phonetic descriptions, though some linguists distinguish them by tongue movement
- alveolar flap
the alternative technical name for this sound
Usage Note
This technical term belongs to phonetics and phonology. It is almost never used in everyday conversation. The full phrase 'alveolar tap' or 'alveolar flap' is preferred in academic writing. In American English, the tap is sometimes called a 'flap' instead, though the two terms describe slightly different tongue movements.
Common Mistakes
on tap
idiom1) served directly from a barrel through a tap (of beer or cider); 2) available for immediate use whenever needed (figurative, of information, services, expertise)
This pub keeps three different stouts on tap all year round.
A good personal assistant keeps all your appointments and contacts on tap.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words describe a light hit, but they differ in force, sound, and purpose. A 'tap' is the lightest and quickest — it is what you do to someone's shoulder to get their attention, or what your fingers do on a table while you wait. A 'knock' is louder and more deliberate; you knock on a door expecting someone to open it. A 'rap' is sharper and more sudden, often used to demand attention or enforce discipline, such as a teacher rapping a desk with a ruler. A 'pat' is the gentlest and most affectionate — you pat a dog's head or pat a friend on the back in comfort. In practice: 'She tapped him on the shoulder to show him the bird'; 'He knocked three times before anyone answered'; 'The teacher rapped the blackboard with a piece of chalk'; 'Grandma patted the child's hair softly.'
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'tap' has two separate origins that converged in form. The verb meaning 'strike lightly' (as in tapping a shoulder or a screen) comes from Old English *tæppian*, probably an imitative word — the sound itself mimics a light, quick touch. The noun meaning 'faucet' and the verb meaning 'draw liquid from a container' (as in tapping a tree or a barrel) come from a different Old English word: *tæppa*, meaning a stopper for a cask. This word traces back to Proto-Germanic *tappon-. Over centuries, both branches developed independently despite sounding the same. The figurative sense of 'tapping into' a resource (verb/5) grew out of the liquid-drawing branch.