heeltap

heeltap

A cobbler carefully replaces the worn heeltap on a leather shoe.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A piece of leather used to repair a heel: "heeltap" refers to a small piece of leather or material added to the heel of a shoe during repair or reinforcement.
    • A small amount of liquid left in a glass: "heeltap" also means a small quantity of drink (especially alcoholic) remaining at the bottom of a cup or glass after the main portion has been consumed.

  2. Verb (rare):

    • To add a heel tap to a shoe: To repair or reinforce a shoe heel by attaching a piece of leather or material.
Usage Examples

  • Noun (shoe repair):

    • The cobbler replaced the worn heeltap on my boots. (The shoemaker put a new piece of leather on the heel of my boots.)

  • Noun (liquid residue):

    • He finished his beer, leaving no heeltap in the mug. (He drank all the beer, leaving no small amount at the bottom.)

  • Verb:

    • She heeltapped her dancing shoes to make them last longer. (She added a reinforcing piece to the heels of her dancing shoes.)
Advanced Usage
  • "No heeltaps!": An old-fashioned toast or command meaning to drink the entire contents of a glass without leaving any residue.
    • The host raised his glass and said, "No heeltaps, everyone!" (The host insisted that everyone finish their drinks completely.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Heel (n): the back part of the foot or shoe.

    • The heel of my shoe is worn down. (The back part of the shoe is damaged.)

  • Tap (n): a piece of leather or metal used for repair (often in shoemaking).

    • The cobbler applied a new tap to the shoe. (The shoemaker attached a repair piece.)
Synonyms
  • Shank: a piece of material reinforcing a shoe heel (though typically refers to the arch area).
  • Residue: a small amount left behind, especially of a liquid.
  • Dregs: the small, solid particles left in a drink (closer to sediment than heeltap, but similar in context).
Phrasal Verbs
  • Tap down: to press or flatten a heeltap into place during shoe repair.
    • The cobbler tapped down the new heeltap firmly. (The shoemaker pressed the leather piece securely onto the heel.)
Related Idioms

  • To leave no heeltap: to finish a drink completely, leaving nothing behind.

    • He was a tidy drinker, always leaving no heeltap. (He always drank every last drop.)

  • To drink to the heeltap: to drink the very last bit of a beverage.

    • The old man drank to the heeltap of his whiskey. (He consumed the final drops of his whiskey.)