tap (redirected from tappers)

on tap 

1. Lit. having to do with beer served from a barrel or keg. Do you have any imported beers on tap here? I like beer on tap. The canned stuff tastes funny to me.

2. Fig. immediately available. I have just the kind of person you're talking about on tap. The cook has any kind of food you might want on tap.

tap someone or something on something

to make one or more light blows on some part of someone or something. Someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned around to see who it was. I tapped the drum on the top to find its pitch.

tap someone (for something)

to select someone for some purpose or position. The committee tapped John to run for Congress. I had thought they were going to tap Sally.

tap something down

to pound something down with light blows. Please tap that nail down so no one gets hurt on it. Tap down the tack, if you would.

tap something into something and tap something in

to move something in with light blows. The mechanic tapped the bracket into place. The worker tapped in the bracket.

tap something out 

1. Lit. to clean something, as the ashes out of a pipe, by tapping. He took the pipe out of his mouth and tapped the ashes out. He tapped out the soil from the flower pot.

2. Fig. to send a message in Morse code, as on a telegraph. The telegraph operator tapped a message out and waited for a reply. The operator tapped out a message.

3. Fig. to thump the rhythm of a piece of music [on something]. Tap the rhythm out until you get it right. Let's tap out the rhythm together.

See also: out

tap something with something

to make light blows on something with something. Alice tapped the table with her keys in an annoying fashion. Just tap the nail lightly with your hammer.

tap at something

to make one or more light blows on something. Fred tapped at the door, but no one heard him. Who is tapping at my window?

tap on something

to make one or more light blows on something. Who is that tapping on my windowpane? I wish you would stop tapping on the tabletop.

tap out 

1. Sl. to lose one's money in gambling or in the securities markets. I'm gonna tap out in about three more rolls—just watch. I really tapped out on that gold-mining stock.

2. Sl. to die; to expire. My dog tapped out after being hit by a car. Mary was so tired that she thought she was going to tap out.

See also: out

tap-dance like mad

Sl. to appear busy continuously; to have to move fast or talk cleverly to distract someone. When things get tough, the whole Congress tap-dances like mad. Any public official knows how to tap-dance like mad when the press gets too nosy.

See also: like, mad

What's on tap for today?

Inf. What is on the schedule for today?; What is going to happen today? (As a beer that is on tap and ready to be served.) Tom: Good morning, Fred. Fred: Morning. What's on tap for today? Tom: Trouble in the morning and difficulty in the afternoon. Fred: So nothing's new. Sally: Can we have lunch today? Sue: I'll have to look at my schedule and see what's on tap for today.

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on tap

available and ready to use Working in a library, I have all this information on tap.

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on tap

available or expected Temperatures will be in the 90s over much of the Mississippi River valley, with plenty of humidity on tap. Three more playoff games are on tap today.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of beer on tap (served from a large container rather than a can or bottle)