tap

/tæp/ (bre, ipa) · /tæp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtap/ (ame, mw)

tap — 動詞

  • 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

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

輕拍;輕敲

快速輕柔地觸碰

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.

例句

Christopher tapped his friend on the shoulder to show him the bird outside the window.

Christopher 輕拍朋友的肩膀,要他看窗外的那隻鳥。

tap + person + on + body part

Roya tapped the desk with her pen while she was thinking about the maths problem.

Roya 思考數學問題時,用筆輕敲著桌面。

tap + noun + with + instrument

同義詞
  • pat

    more gentle and flat-handed; often used with affection

  • knock

    harder and louder; usually done with a closed fist to announce arrival

  • rap

    sharper and more sudden than a tap; often to demand attention

反義詞
  • pound

    to hit hard and repeatedly with force

文法句型

tap + noun phrase (the thing hit)

tap + noun phrase + on + noun phrase

tap +

tap + preposition + noun phrase

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

She tapped strongly on the door.
She pounded on the door.
💡'tap' means a light touch, not a hard or forceful hit.

2. to gently press the display of a mobile phone, tablet, or similar gadget with on

2.動詞及物A2
釋義

點擊;輕觸

用手指短暫觸碰螢幕

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.

例句

Amelia tapped the weather icon on her phone to check if it would rain today.

Amelia 點了一下手機上的天氣圖示,看看今天會不會下雨。

tap + [screen element] + on + [device]

Feng tapped the photo twice to zoom in and see the details of the building.

Feng 在照片上連點兩下,放大看清楚那棟建築物的細節。

同義詞
  • click

    used for mouse or trackpad actions on a computer, not touch screen

  • press

    implies holding down with some force; tap is quicker and lighter

文法句型

tap + noun phrase (screen / icon / button)

用法筆記

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).

常見錯誤

I tapped on my phone to open the app.
I tapped the app icon on my phone to open it.
💡the object should be the on-screen element, not the device.

3. to produce written text by pressing the buttons on a computer, phone, or laptop

3.動詞及物B1
釋義

打字;鍵入

在鍵盤上輕按鍵輸入文字

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.

例句

Zola tapped out a quick reply to her sister's message while waiting for the bus.

Zola 邊等公車邊快速打了回覆給妹妹的訊息。

tap out + [text]

Imran tapped his message one-handed while holding the baby in the other arm.

Imran 一手抱著嬰兒,另一隻手單手打字回覆訊息。

同義詞
  • type

    the standard, neutral word for producing text on a keyboard

  • key in

    specifically entering data or codes rather than writing prose

文法句型

tap + out + noun phrase

tap + adverb/preposition

用法筆記

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'.

常見錯誤

She tapped a book on the shelf.' (ambiguous — could mean physical hit or typing)
She tapped out a note on her laptop.
💡use 'tap out' or add context like 'on a keyboard' to make the meaning clear.

4. to bring a payment card, mobile phone, or smartwatch close to an electronic read

4.動詞及物B1
釋義

感應;刷卡

將卡片輕觸讀卡機進行付款或通行

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.

例句

Paloma tapped her credit card on the payment machine and the transaction went through.

Paloma 將信用卡感應支付機器,交易便完成了。

tap + [payment card] + on + [reader]

Commuters tapped their phones against the turnstile reader as they entered the station.

通勤族們進站時將手機靠近閘門的讀卡機感應。

同義詞
  • swipe

    older technology; involves sliding a card through a magnetic-stripe reader

  • scan

    the reader scans a barcode or QR code; no physical contact needed

文法句型

tap + noun phrase + on + noun phrase

tap + noun phrase + against + noun phrase

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

I tapped my card to pay.' (acceptable but imprecise)
I tapped my card on the reader to pay.
💡specifying 'on the reader' adds clarity.

5. to use or get something valuable from a supply or source that already exists — f

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

利用;開發

從既有的資源或來源中獲取

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.

例句

The startup plans to tap the growing market for electric bikes in Southeast Asia.

這間新創公司打算開發東南亞日益成長的電動自行車市場。

tap + [market / resource]

Amelia tapped into the library's online database to find articles for her research paper.

Amelia 利用圖書館的線上資料庫來尋找研究報告所需的文獻。

tap into + [source of information]

同義詞
  • draw on

    more neutral; often used for knowledge or experience

  • exploit

    more negative connotation; implies using something for one's own benefit unfairly

  • utilize

    more formal; broader in meaning than 'tap'

反義詞
  • squander

    to waste a resource rather than put it to good use

文法句型

tap + noun phrase

tap + into + noun phrase

用法筆記

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).

常見錯誤

I tapped the water from the bottle.' (physical pouring — use 'pour' instead)
The company tapped a new source of clean water.
💡'tap' in this sense means accessing a supply, not physically pouring liquid.

6. to secretly listen to someone's phone calls by connecting a small device to thei

6.動詞及物B2
釋義

竊聽;監聽

祕密監聽他人的電話通訊

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.

例句

Police obtained a warrant to tap the suspect's phone after finding evidence.

警方在找到證據後,取得法院許可來監聽嫌犯的電話。

tap + [person's] + phone — legal context

The journalist suspected someone had tapped her office line because her sources kept leaking.

那位記者懷疑有人監聽了辦公室的電話,因為她的消息來源不斷外洩。

同義詞
  • bug

    broader — can mean listening through hidden microphones in a room, not just phone lines

  • wiretap

    formal legal term for tapping a phone line specifically

  • intercept

    broader; can mean stopping or reading communications, not just listening

文法句型

tap + noun phrase (phone / line / call)

用法筆記

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).

常見錯誤

He tapped on my phone.' (sounds like he physically hit the phone)
He tapped my phone.' or 'He tapped my phone line.
💡no preposition; the phone or line is the direct object.

7. to officially select a person to take on a specific position, role, or responsib

7.動詞及物B2
釋義

選拔;指派

選定某人擔任重要職位

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.

例句

The board tapped Caleb to lead the new marketing division.

董事會指派 Caleb 領導新的行銷部門。

tap + person + to-infinitive

Élise was tapped for head nurse after only three years at the hospital.

Élise 進醫院才三年就被選拔擔任護理長。

passive: be tapped for + role

同義詞
  • select

    more general; does not imply high-level appointment

  • appoint

    more formal, often implies an official position title

  • designate

    suggests assignment to a specific duty rather than a permanent role

文法句型

tap + person + for/as + role

tap + person + to-infinitive

be tapped for/as + role

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

The manager tapped me to grab coffee for the meeting.
The manager tapped me to lead the project team.
💡'tap' implies a significant appointment, not a routine request.

8. to make a hole in a tree trunk and collect the liquid that flows out; also, to p

8.動詞及物B2
釋義

割開取液

在樹幹或容器上鑽孔以取得液體

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.

例句

Every spring the farm workers tap the maple trees to collect the sweet sap.

每年春天,農場工人會在楓樹上割開樹皮來收集香甜的樹液。

tap + tree + to-infinitive for purpose

Minho's grandfather taught him how to tap a birch tree without damaging the bark.

Minho 的祖父教他如何在樺樹上鑽孔取液,同時不傷害樹皮。

同義詞
  • pierce

    focuses on the act of making a hole, not on collecting what flows out

  • drain

    implies removing all liquid, while tap suggests controlled extraction

文法句型

tap + noun phrase (tree, barrel, container)

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

He tapped the bottle of water to get a drink.
He tapped the barrel of wine to fill the jugs.
💡'tap' for liquid extraction involves piercing a large vessel or tree, not opening a packaged container.

9. to produce a short speech sound by quickly striking the tip of the tongue agains

9.動詞及物C1
釋義

發彈音

舌尖快速碰觸上齒齦發出短促語音

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.

例句

In Spanish, speakers tap the tongue for the 'r' sound in words like 'pero'.

在西班牙語中,說「pero」這類單字的「r」音時,說話者會用舌尖在上齒齦發出彈音。

tap + the tongue (+ body part modifier)

The linguistics student practiced how to tap her tongue for the Japanese 'r' sound.

那位語言學學生練習如何正確發日語「r」音的彈音。

同義詞
  • flap

    used interchangeably in most linguistic descriptions, though some distinguish them by the direction of tongue movement

文法句型

tap + the tongue + against/on + the roof of the mouth / the alveolar ridge

用法筆記

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

10.動詞不及物B2
釋義

跳踢踏舞

穿著金屬片舞鞋跳出節奏聲響

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.

例句

Talia learned to tap at age six and now performs in a local dance troupe.

Talia 六歲就開始學跳踢踏舞,現在在當地的舞團演出。

learn to tap

The dancers tapped across the wooden stage to a swinging jazz melody.

舞者們在木頭地板上跳踢踏舞,隨著輕快的爵士旋律前進。

同義詞
  • tap-dance

    the hyphenated verb form, equally common and slightly more transparent

文法句型

tap + adverbial (across, on, to)

learn to tap

tap + the + beat / rhythm

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

She tapped the floor with her feet.' (describing normal stepping).
She learned to tap at a community dance school.
💡The intransitive 'tap' specifically refers to the dance style, not to hitting the floor with your feet.

tap — 名詞