tap

Universal Words verb, noun verb (-pp-) 1 to hit sb/sth quickly and lightly: [V] Someone tapped at the door. * He was busy tapping away at his computer. * [VN] Ralph tapped me on the shoulder. 2 if you tap your fingers, feet, etc. or they tap, you hit them gently against a table, the floor, etc., for example to the rhythm of music: [VN] He kept tapping his fingers on the table. * [V] The music set everyone's feet tapping. 3 ~ (into) sth to make use of a source of energy, knowledge, etc. that already exists: [VN] We need to tap the expertise and skill of the people we already have. * [V] The movie seems to tap into a general sentimentality about animals. 4 [VN] (also wiretap especially in AmE) to fit a device to a telephone so that sb's calls can be listened to secretly: He was convinced his phone was being tapped. 5 [VN] to cut into a tree in order to get liquid from it PHRASALVERBS tap sb for sth (BrE, informal) to persuade sb to give you sth, especially money: He tried to tap me for a loan. tap sth<->in / out to put information, numbers, letters, etc. into a machine by pressing buttons: Tap in your PIN number. * He tapped out a few words on the keyboard. tap sth<->out to hit a surface gently to the rhythm of music: She tapped out the beat on the table. noun 1 (especially BrE) (AmE usually faucet) [C] a device for controlling the flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or container: bath taps * the hot / cold tap (= the tap that hot / cold water comes out of) * a gas tap * Turn the tap on / off. * Don't leave the tap running. * the sound of a dripping tap * I put my head under the tap and let the cool water run over me. seealsoTAPWATER 2 [C] a light hit with your hand or fingers: a tap at / on the door * He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned round. 3 [C] an act of fitting a device to a telephone so that sb's telephone calls can be listened to secretly: a phone tap 4 [U] = TAP-DANCING IDIOMS on tap 1 available to be used at any time: We have this sort of information on tap. 2 beer that is on tap is in a BARREL with a tap on it