Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of secretly listening to or recording private communications: A "wiretap" is the covert interception of telephone, telegraph, or other electronic communications, typically by law enforcement or intelligence agencies to gather information.

2. Verb:

   • To secretly listen to or record private communications: To "wiretap" means to install a device or use a method to monitor and intercept telephone, telegraph, or other electronic conversations without the knowledge of the parties involved.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The judge authorized a wiretap on the suspect's phone.
  • Evidence from the wiretap was crucial for the conviction.

• Verb:

  • The agency sought to wiretap the diplomat's communications.
  • It is illegal to wiretap a private citizen without a court order.

Advanced Usage

• "to place a wiretap on (something)": to install surveillance equipment.
  • Investigators placed a wiretap on the office's main line.
• "wiretap evidence": information obtained through a wiretap, used in legal proceedings.
  • The defense challenged the admissibility of the wiretap evidence.

Variants and Related Words

• Wiretapping (noun/gerund): The activity or practice of using wiretaps.
  • The law strictly regulates wiretapping.
• Tapping (noun): A more general term for intercepting communications.
  • Phone tapping is a common surveillance technique.

Synonyms

• Bug (verb): To conceal a listening device.
• Eavesdrop (verb): To listen secretly to a private conversation.
• Surveillance (noun): The close observation, especially of a suspected person.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Phrases

• Tap into (a line/conversation): To gain unauthorized access to a communication channel to listen.
  • They managed to tap into the encrypted network.

Related Idioms

• "On a wire" (informal/slang): Being under electronic surveillance.
  • Be careful what you say; this place might be on a wire.

Noun

1. the act of tapping a telephone or telegraph line to get information

Verb

1. 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?