Definition

1. Noun:

   • A light touch or stroke: A gentle, quick contact, often with the fingers or a small object.
   • A faucet or spout: A device for controlling the flow of a liquid, especially water, from a pipe or container.
   • A tool for cutting internal screw threads: A tool used to create the threaded part inside a hole.
   • The act of secretly listening to a communication: The interception of telephone or telegraph messages.
   • A piece of metal attached to a shoe: A small plate, typically on the heel or toe, used in tap dancing to create rhythmic sounds.

2. Verb:

   • To strike or touch lightly: To make a gentle, quick contact, often producing a soft sound.
   • To draw liquid from a container: To extract liquid, especially by opening a valve or spout.
   • To make a hole to access fluid: To pierce something, like a tree or keg, to draw out its contents.
   • To secretly listen to a communication: To intercept or monitor a telephone conversation or other communication.
   • To make use of a resource: To access and utilize a source of money, information, or talent.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. (A light touch)
  • Please turn off the tap to save water. (A faucet)
  • The mechanic used a tap to thread the hole. (A cutting tool)
  • The police obtained a warrant to put a tap on his phone. (A listening device)

• Verb:

  • He tapped his pen on the desk while thinking. (To strike lightly)
  • They tap the maple trees every spring for syrup. (To draw liquid by piercing)
  • The bartender will tap a new keg of beer. (To draw liquid from a container)
  • It is illegal to tap someone's phone without authorization. (To listen secretly)
  • The company needs to tap into new markets for growth. (To make use of a resource)

Advanced Usage

• "On tap": Available for immediate use; on draft (for beer).

  • We have several new projects on tap for next quarter.
  • Do you have the local lager on tap?

• "Tap out": To exhaust a resource; to signal surrender by tapping the ground (in martial arts).

  • We've nearly tapped out our budget for the year.
  • The wrestler had to tap out when he was caught in the hold.

Variants and Related Words

• Tapper (n): A person or tool that taps; a tap dancer.
• Tap-dance (v): To perform a dance wearing shoes with metal taps.
  • She learned to tap-dance as a child.
• Taproom (n): A bar or room where drinks, especially beer, are served on tap.
• Tap water (n): Water supplied through pipes and a faucet.

Synonyms

• Noun (faucet): Spigot, valve, cock.
• Verb (strike lightly): Rap, pat, knock.
• Verb (utilize): Exploit, draw on, access.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Tap for: To ask or persuade someone to give something.
  • He's always tapping his friends for favors.
• Tap into: To gain access to or make connection with a resource.
  • The documentary tapped into the public's curiosity about space.

Related Idioms

• Tap the glass: A metaphorical phrase meaning to get someone's attention, often subtly.
• A tap on the shoulder: An indirect suggestion or hint; a light physical touch.
  • He got a tap on the shoulder about retiring early.

Noun

1. a light touch or stroke
2. the act of tapping a telephone or telegraph line to get information
3. a plug for a bunghole in a cask
4. a tool for cutting female (internal) screw threads
5. a small metal plate that attaches to the toe or heel of a shoe (as in tap dancing)
6. a faucet for drawing water from a pipe or cask
7. a gentle blow
8. the sound made by a gentle blow

Verb

1. make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently
   • Henry IV solicited the Pope for a divorce
   • My neighbor keeps soliciting money for different charities
2. pierce in order to draw a liquid from
   • tap a maple tree for its syrup
   • tap a keg of beer
3. draw (liquor) from a tap
   • tap beer in a bar
4. dance and make rhythmic clicking sounds by means of metal plates nailed to the sole of the dance shoes
   • Glover tapdances better than anybody
5. walk with a tapping sound
6. make light, repeated taps on a surface
   • he was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently
7. furnish with a tap or spout, so as to be able to draw liquid from it
   • tap a cask of wine
8. tap a telephone or telegraph wire to get information
   • The FBI was tapping the phone line of the suspected spy
   • Is this hotel room bugged?
9. draw from; make good use of
   • we must exploit the resources we are given wisely
10. strike lightly
    • He tapped me on the shoulder
11. draw from or dip into to get something
    • tap one's memory
    • tap a source of money
12. cut a female screw thread with a tap