tap
tap — 動詞
1. to make a quick, light touch against someone or something, usually producing a s
輕拍；輕敲
快速輕柔地觸碰
to make a quick, light touch against someone or something, usually producing a short sound — for example, tapping a friend's arm to get their attention, or moving your fingers up and down on a table in time with music.
Christopher tapped his friend on the shoulder to show him the bird outside the window.
Christopher 輕拍朋友的肩膀，要他看窗外的那隻鳥。
tap + person + on + body part
Roya tapped the desk with her pen while she was thinking about the maths problem.
Roya 思考數學問題時，用筆輕敲著桌面。
tap + noun + with + instrument
Someone tapped gently on the front door, but no one came to answer it.
有人輕輕敲了敲前門，但沒人應門。
Old pipes in the wall began to tap when the heating came on.
暖氣一開，牆裡的老舊水管便開始發出輕微的敲擊聲。
Élise tapped her foot to the beat of the jazz music playing on the radio.
Élise 隨著收音機裡播放的爵士樂節奏輕輕用腳打拍子。
- pound
to hit hard and repeatedly with force
文法句型
tap + noun phrase (the thing hit)
tap + noun phrase + on + noun phrase
tap +
tap + preposition + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'on' or 'against' to indicate the surface being touched. Subject can be a person, body part, or an object making a repetitive light sound.
常見錯誤
2. to gently press the display of a mobile phone, tablet, or similar gadget with on
點擊；輕觸
用手指短暫觸碰螢幕
to gently press the display of a mobile phone, tablet, or similar gadget with one finger, which causes the gadget to perform an action — for instance, opening a program, choosing an image, or playing a film clip.
Amelia tapped the weather icon on her phone to check if it would rain today.
Amelia 點了一下手機上的天氣圖示，看看今天會不會下雨。
tap + [screen element] + on + [device]
Feng tapped the photo twice to zoom in and see the details of the building.
Feng 在照片上連點兩下，放大看清楚那棟建築物的細節。
To send the message, just tap the arrow button at the bottom of the screen.
要傳送訊息，只需點擊螢幕底部的箭頭按鈕。
Linh tapped the alarm icon to turn it off and went back to sleep.
Linh 點了一下鬧鐘圖示關掉它，然後繼續睡覺。
The waiter tapped the payment screen on the tablet and handed it to the customer.
服務生在平板上點了一下付款畫面，然後交給顧客。
文法句型
tap + noun phrase (screen / icon / button)
用法筆記
The object is usually a specific part of the screen interface (icon, button, link), not the device itself (you tap the screen on your phone, not the phone).
常見錯誤
3. to produce written text by pressing the buttons on a computer, phone, or laptop
打字；鍵入
在鍵盤上輕按鍵輸入文字
to produce written text by pressing the buttons on a computer, phone, or laptop keyboard, especially with quick, light finger movements — commonly used when describing how someone composes messages or documents on an electronic device.
Zola tapped out a quick reply to her sister's message while waiting for the bus.
Zola 邊等公車邊快速打了回覆給妹妹的訊息。
tap out + [text]
Imran tapped his message one-handed while holding the baby in the other arm.
Imran 一手抱著嬰兒，另一隻手單手打字回覆訊息。
The journalist tapped away at her keyboard, finishing the article before the deadline.
那位記者在鍵盤上不停地打字，趕在截稿前完成文章。
Yael tapped the letters carefully because the keyboard on the phone was very small.
Yael 小心翼翼地按著按鍵，因為手機鍵盤非常小。
文法句型
tap + out + noun phrase
tap + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
Commonly used in the phrasal form 'tap out' to mean typing a complete message, and 'tap away at' to suggest continuous typing. Less formal than 'type'.
常見錯誤
4. to bring a payment card, mobile phone, or smartwatch close to an electronic read
感應；刷卡
將卡片輕觸讀卡機進行付款或通行
to bring a payment card, mobile phone, or smartwatch close to an electronic reader so that money can be taken from your account or so that you can pass through a gate — for instance, holding a credit card near the machine at a store checkout, or touching a travel card against the barrier at a train platform.
Paloma tapped her credit card on the payment machine and the transaction went through.
Paloma 將信用卡感應支付機器，交易便完成了。
tap + [payment card] + on + [reader]
Commuters tapped their phones against the turnstile reader as they entered the station.
通勤族們進站時將手機靠近閘門的讀卡機感應。
Ada forgot her wallet, so she tapped her smartwatch at the checkout counter to pay.
Ada 忘了帶錢包，於是在結帳櫃檯用手錶感應付款。
The bus driver reminded passengers to tap their travel cards when getting off.
公車司機提醒乘客下車時要刷卡感應。
Eli tapped his student ID on the library door sensor and the lock clicked open.
Eli 將學生證靠近圖書館門口的感應器，門鎖便應聲開啟。
文法句型
tap + noun phrase + on + noun phrase
tap + noun phrase + against + noun phrase
用法筆記
Objects are typically payment methods (card, phone, watch) or access cards. The reader is introduced with 'on' or 'against'. Common in transport and retail contexts.
常見錯誤
5. to use or get something valuable from a supply or source that already exists — f
利用；開發
從既有的資源或來源中獲取
to use or get something valuable from a supply or source that already exists — for example, a company tapping new markets to increase sales, or a writer tapping her personal experiences for a novel.
The startup plans to tap the growing market for electric bikes in Southeast Asia.
這間新創公司打算開發東南亞日益成長的電動自行車市場。
tap + [market / resource]
Amelia tapped into the library's online database to find articles for her research paper.
Amelia 利用圖書館的線上資料庫來尋找研究報告所需的文獻。
tap into + [source of information]
To fund the project, the city decided to tap its emergency reserve funds.
為了資助該計畫，市政府決定動用緊急備用基金。
The coach tapped into the team's hidden potential and led them to victory.
教練激發出團隊隱藏的潛力，帶領他們走向勝利。
By offering language classes, the school hopes to tap a wider group of international students.
學校開設語言課程，希望能吸引更多國際學生來就讀。
- squander
to waste a resource rather than put it to good use
文法句型
tap + noun phrase
tap + into + noun phrase
用法筆記
The phrasal verb 'tap into' is more common in everyday speech. 'Tap' alone (without 'into') is more formal or business-oriented — e.g., 'tap resources', 'tap markets'. The source being drawn from is typically abstract (market, potential, network, data).
常見錯誤
6. to secretly listen to someone's phone calls by connecting a small device to thei
竊聽；監聽
祕密監聽他人的電話通訊
to secretly listen to someone's phone calls by connecting a small device to their telephone line or by intercepting their signal — an activity typically done by police, spies, or private investigators, usually without the person's knowledge.
Police obtained a warrant to tap the suspect's phone after finding evidence.
警方在找到證據後，取得法院許可來監聽嫌犯的電話。
tap + [person's] + phone — legal context
The journalist suspected someone had tapped her office line because her sources kept leaking.
那位記者懷疑有人監聽了辦公室的電話，因為她的消息來源不斷外洩。
In the spy novel, agents tap a phone by installing a tiny listening device inside it.
在這本間諜小說裡，特務在電話內安裝微型竊聽裝置來進行監聽。
Detective Molina tapped the suspect's phone from a van parked outside the warehouse.
Molina 警探從停在倉庫外的廂型車內監聽嫌犯的電話。
文法句型
tap + noun phrase (phone / line / call)
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive constructions ('the line was tapped', 'their phones were being tapped'). Legal context is important: tapping a phone is usually illegal unless authorized by a court order (warrant).
常見錯誤
7. to officially select a person to take on a specific position, role, or responsib
選拔；指派
選定某人擔任重要職位
to officially select a person to take on a specific position, role, or responsibility — for example, when a committee taps a member to lead a project or when a company taps an employee for a promotion.
The board tapped Caleb to lead the new marketing division.
董事會指派 Caleb 領導新的行銷部門。
tap + person + to-infinitive
Élise was tapped for head nurse after only three years at the hospital.
Élise 進醫院才三年就被選拔擔任護理長。
passive: be tapped for + role
Sofia felt honored when the mayor tapped her as the new city planning director.
市長指派 Sofia 擔任新的都市規劃處長，讓她感到很榮幸。
The committee tapped Christopher to organize the annual charity fundraiser.
委員會選派 Christopher 來籌劃年度慈善募款活動。
Kwame was tapped for the position of regional manager last spring.
Kwame 去年春天被選拔為區域經理。
文法句型
tap + person + for/as + role
tap + person + to-infinitive
be tapped for/as + role
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the passive voice (be tapped). The subject is usually a group in authority — a board, committee, organization, or government. The object is always a person being selected for an official role, not for a casual task.
常見錯誤
8. to make a hole in a tree trunk and collect the liquid that flows out; also, to p
割開取液
在樹幹或容器上鑽孔以取得液體
to make a hole in a tree trunk and collect the liquid that flows out; also, to pierce a container so that its contents can be removed — for example, tapping a maple tree for syrup or tapping a wine barrel to fill bottles.
Every spring the farm workers tap the maple trees to collect the sweet sap.
每年春天，農場工人會在楓樹上割開樹皮來收集香甜的樹液。
tap + tree + to-infinitive for purpose
Minho's grandfather taught him how to tap a birch tree without damaging the bark.
Minho 的祖父教他如何在樺樹上鑽孔取液，同時不傷害樹皮。
The workers tapped the barrel and carefully filled each bottle with the aged wine.
工人們在酒桶上開孔取酒，小心地把每一瓶都裝滿陳年葡萄酒。
In New England, families tap their own trees and boil the sap for maple syrup.
在新英格蘭地區，有些家庭會在自己家的樹上鑽孔取液，然後熬煮樹液來製作楓糖漿。
Cyrus watched the farmer tap the rubber tree so the white liquid dripped out.
Cyrus 看著農夫在橡膠樹上割開一道開口，白色的液體就滴了出來。
文法句型
tap + noun phrase (tree, barrel, container)
用法筆記
Trees typically tapped for sap include maple, birch, and rubber. For containers, the object is a barrel, cask, keg, or similar vessel — not a modern bottle or can.
常見錯誤
9. to produce a short speech sound by quickly striking the tip of the tongue agains
發彈音
舌尖快速碰觸上齒齦發出短促語音
to produce a short speech sound by quickly striking the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth just behind the upper front teeth — for example, the sound of the letter 'r' in Japanese or Spanish between vowels.
In Spanish, speakers tap the tongue for the 'r' sound in words like 'pero'.
在西班牙語中，說「pero」這類單字的「r」音時，說話者會用舌尖在上齒齦發出彈音。
tap + the tongue (+ body part modifier)
The linguistics student practiced how to tap her tongue for the Japanese 'r' sound.
那位語言學學生練習如何正確發日語「r」音的彈音。
Unlike a trill, when you tap the tongue the contact lasts only a split second.
和顫音不同，發彈音時舌尖接觸的時間只有一瞬間。
Some English speakers tap the tongue for the middle 't' in words like 'butter'.
有些英語使用者在說「butter」或「city」這類單字中間的「t」時，會用舌尖發出彈音。
Heather's professor asked her to identify which sounds require a tap against the alveolar ridge.
Heather 的老師請她判斷哪些子音需要讓舌尖碰觸齒齦發出彈音。
- flap
used interchangeably in most linguistic descriptions, though some distinguish them by the direction of tongue movement
文法句型
tap + the tongue + against/on + the roof of the mouth / the alveolar ridge
用法筆記
This is a technical term in phonetics. The key difference between a tap and a trill is duration: a tap involves one quick contact, while a trill involves multiple rapid contacts. Tap is often used interchangeably with 'flap' in modern linguistics literature.
10. to perform a style of rhythmic dance that uses special shoes with metal plates a
跳踢踏舞
穿著金屬片舞鞋跳出節奏聲響
to perform a style of rhythmic dance that uses special shoes with metal plates attached to the soles and heels, creating sharp clicking sounds as the dancer strikes the floor.
Talia learned to tap at age six and now performs in a local dance troupe.
Talia 六歲就開始學跳踢踏舞，現在在當地的舞團演出。
learn to tap
The dancers tapped across the wooden stage to a swinging jazz melody.
舞者們在木頭地板上跳踢踏舞，隨著輕快的爵士旋律前進。
Arjun spent months practicing how to tap at different speeds to match the orchestra.
Arjun 花了幾個月練習如何配合管弦樂團以不同速度跳踢踏舞。
Every Saturday the studio holds a beginner class where children learn to tap.
每週六這間舞蹈教室都會開初階班，讓小朋友學習跳踢踏舞。
Mathieu and his partner tapped together in perfect sync during the final number.
Mathieu 和他的舞伴在最後一首曲子中完美同步地跳踢踏舞。
- tap-dance
the hyphenated verb form, equally common and slightly more transparent
文法句型
tap + adverbial (across, on, to)
learn to tap
tap + the + beat / rhythm
用法筆記
This verb is intransitive — you cannot 'tap something' in this sense. To describe the activity you can also use 'tap dance' as a verb phrase: 'She tap-dances every weekend.' Adverbials of place (across the floor) and manner (to the beat, loudly) are common.
常見錯誤
tap — 名詞
1. a device fitted to a pipe or container that you turn to let water or other liqui
水龍頭
控制水管出水的裝置
a device fitted to a pipe or container that you turn to let water or other liquids flow out or to stop the flow
Jin turned the tap on and filled the kettle with water.
Jin 打開水龍頭，用水壺裝滿了水。
collocation: turn the tap on/off
Remember to turn the tap off tightly after washing your hands.
洗完手後記得把水龍頭關緊。
Lien left the tap running while she answered the phone.
Lien 接電話的時候讓水龍頭一直開著。
The plumber replaced the old bathroom tap with a modern chrome one.
水電師傅把浴室裡的老舊水龍頭換成新的不鏽鋼款式。
- faucet
American English term for the same device; less common in British English
用法筆記
Often used with the verbs 'turn on/off' to describe starting or stopping the flow. 'Tap' is the usual word in British English; 'faucet' is more common in American English.
常見錯誤
2. a person, system, or channel that supplies something valuable — for example, mon
供應源
持續提供金錢、資訊或人才的來源
a person, system, or channel that supplies something valuable — for example, money, data, or talent — in a steady stream
The government decided to turn off the tap of funding for the failing project.
政府決定關掉那個失敗計畫的資金供應源。
collocation: turn off the tap of [something]
New trade agreements opened up a fresh tap of investment from overseas markets.
新的貿易協定為海外市場開啟了新的投資來源。
Vivek's network of contacts became a steady tap of business opportunities.
Vivek 的人脈網絡成了源源不絕的商業機會來源。
The university acted as a vital tap of skilled graduates for local technology companies.
這所大學為當地科技公司提供了源源不絕的優秀畢業生。
- source
more general; 'tap' emphasises continuous flow
- supply
broader term; 'tap' suggests controlled release
- wellspring
more literary and positive in tone
文法句型
tap + of + noun
用法筆記
Used figuratively, typically in the phrase 'turn on/off the tap of something'. The subject is usually an organization, government, or system rather than a person.
3. a valve or handle on a gas pipe that you turn to let gas flow or to stop it
瓦斯開關
控制瓦斯管線出氣的閥門
a valve or handle on a gas pipe that you turn to let gas flow or to stop it
Owen checked that the gas tap was fully closed before leaving the house.
Owen 在離家前確認瓦斯開關已經完全關閉。
collocation: close/turn off the gas tap
The kitchen gas tap was stuck, so Sivan called a technician to repair it.
廚房的瓦斯開關卡住了，所以 Sivan 打電話請技師來修理。
After detecting a strong smell, Elena turned off the gas tap at the main valve.
聞到濃濃的瓦斯味後，Elena 把主閥門的瓦斯開關關掉了。
Paul showed his son where the gas tap was in case of an emergency.
Paul 告訴兒子瓦斯開關的位置，以備緊急狀況時使用。
- gas valve
the more technical term; 'gas tap' is more common in everyday British speech
用法筆記
Safety-critical item in households. In British English, 'gas tap' is common; American English more often uses 'gas valve' or 'gas shut-off valve'.
4. a handle or valve attached to a beer barrel or its connecting pipe, used to let
啤酒龍頭
裝在啤酒桶上控制出酒的裝置
a handle or valve attached to a beer barrel or its connecting pipe, used to let beer flow out for serving
Femi pulled the beer tap forward and filled a tall glass with dark ale.
Femi 把啤酒龍頭往前拉，倒了一杯滿滿的黑麥酒。
collocation: pull the beer tap
The pub's beer tap needed cleaning because it kept producing too much foam.
這家酒吧的啤酒龍頭需要清潔，因為一直冒出太多泡沫。
Each stall at the festival had its own beer tap connected to a small barrel.
活動現場每個攤位都有自己的啤酒龍頭，連接著一個小桶。
Lakan installed a new beer tap in the basement for weekend parties with friends.
Lakan 在地下室裝了一組新的啤酒龍頭，方便週末和朋友聚會時使用。
用法筆記
Commonly found in pubs, bars, and festivals. You 'pull' a beer tap toward you to serve beer.
5. poured straight from a barrel by means of a tap, instead of coming from a bottle
桶裝現榨
從桶中直接倒出的啤酒
poured straight from a barrel by means of a tap, instead of coming from a bottle or can
The local pub has ten different beers on tap this weekend.
這家在地酒吧這個週末有十種不同的桶裝現榨啤酒。
fixed phrase: [beer] on tap
Rania prefers lager on tap because it tastes fresher than bottled beer.
Rania 比較喜歡桶裝現榨啤酒，因為喝起來比瓶裝更新鮮。
We asked the bartender which ales were on tap tonight.
我們問酒保今晚有哪些桶裝現榨麥酒。
The new craft brewery downtown only sells its own ale on tap.
市中心新開的精釀啤酒廠只販售自家的桶裝現榨麥酒。
- draught beer
the more formal term; 'on tap' is the everyday conversational expression
用法筆記
Only used after a linking verb or as an adverbial phrase. Always appears as part of the fixed expression 'on tap' — do not say 'on the tap' or 'on a tap'.
常見錯誤
6. available immediately and in large amounts whenever you need them, like a resour
隨時可用
隨時可以取用的資源
available immediately and in large amounts whenever you need them, like a resource that can be drawn on at will
As a research assistant, Elena had expert librarians on tap to help with any question.
身為研究助理，Elena 隨時都有專業的圖書館員可以幫忙解答問題。
figurative: [resource] on tap
With a streaming subscription, thousands of films are on tap at any moment.
有了串流訂閱，隨時都有數千部電影可以觀看。
The hotel offers guests a twenty-four-hour concierge service on tap.
這家飯店為房客提供二十四小時的禮賓服務，隨時可以求助。
Mira liked her new job because mentors and training materials were always on tap.
Mira 很喜歡她的新工作，因為隨時都有導師和培訓資源可以使用。
- available
neutral and broad; 'on tap' adds a sense of abundance and immediacy
- at hand
suggests physical proximity rather than general availability
- readily accessible
more formal register
- unavailable
general opposite
- scarce
emphasises limited quantity rather than unavailability
用法筆記
Extended figurative use of the beer 'on tap' phrase. Fits contexts where expertise, information, money, or services are readily accessible. Not used for physical objects.
常見錯誤
7. a quick, light hit made with your hand, fingers, or an object, or the short soun
輕敲；輕觸
輕柔短促的一擊或其聲音
a quick, light hit made with your hand, fingers, or an object, or the short sound produced by such a hit
Rohan gave a gentle tap on the window to get his brother's attention.
Rohan 輕輕地敲了敲窗戶，引起他兄弟的注意。
give a [adjective] tap on [surface] — common verb-noun pattern
A soft tap on the shoulder made Nadia turn around in the crowd.
有人輕輕拍了 Nadia 的肩膀，讓她在人群中轉過頭來。
The only sound in the room was the tap of rain against the glass door.
房裡唯一的聲音，是雨滴輕打在玻璃門上的聲響。
Amira heard two quick taps at the door before the letter slid through.
Amira 聽到門上傳來兩下輕敲，接著信就塞了進來。
A single tap on the keyboard was enough to turn the screen back on.
只要在鍵盤上輕按一下，就能讓螢幕重新亮起來。
- bang
a loud, heavy hit
用法筆記
Often combined with a preposition such as 'on' or 'at' to indicate what is being touched: 'a tap on the window', 'a tap at the door'. When describing a sound, the pattern 'the tap of + [noun]' is common, e.g. 'the tap of footsteps'.
常見錯誤
8. a style of dance in which the dancer wears shoes with metal plates on the sole a
踢踏舞；鐵片
用鞋底金屬片敲擊地面的舞蹈或其零件
a style of dance in which the dancer wears shoes with metal plates on the sole and heel, making rhythmic clicking sounds as the feet hit the floor; also, one of those metal plates itself
Kenji took tap lessons for three years before his first stage performance.
Kenji 學了三年的踢踏舞，才首次站上舞臺表演。
tap lessons / take tap — common educational collocations
The metal tap on Aoi's shoe came loose during the second routine.
Aoi 鞋子上的金屬片在第二段舞蹈時鬆脫了。
Élise replaced the worn taps on her dancing shoes before the competition.
Élise 在比賽前把舞鞋上磨損的金屬片換掉了。
Ayesha's tap routine included fast footwork that amazed the audience.
Ayesha 的踢踏舞表演包含快速靈活的腳步動作，令觀眾驚嘆不已。
The theatre offered a weekly tap class for beginners on Tuesday evenings.
那間劇院每週二晚上開設一堂給初學者的踢踏舞課程。
- tap dancing
the full form of the dance style; slightly more formal than 'tap' alone
- step dancing
a broader category that includes tap but also other percussive dance styles
用法筆記
When referring to the dance, 'tap' is used without 'dancing' in informal contexts, e.g. 'I do tap twice a week.' When referring to the metal plate, the phrase 'tap on the shoe' clarifies that the physical object is meant rather than the dance style.
常見錯誤
9. a small device placed on a telephone line or hidden inside a phone so that conve
竊聽器
安裝在電話上偷聽對話的設備
a small device placed on a telephone line or hidden inside a phone so that conversations can be overheard without the speakers realizing it
The police found a tap on the company's main telephone line during the investigation.
警方在調查過程中，在公司的電話主線上發現了一個竊聽器。
a tap on [phone line/telephone] — typical preposition pattern
Rohan suspected someone had placed a tap on his office phone after the leak.
Rohan 懷疑在資訊外洩之後，有人在他的辦公室電話上裝了竊聽器。
A hidden tap in the ambassador's residence recorded every overseas call.
大使官邸裡藏了一個竊聽器，錄下了每一通越洋電話。
The journalist refused to discuss sensitive details in case of a tap on the line.
那位記者拒絕討論敏感細節，擔心電話線路上有竊聽器。
Technicians swept the room for electronic taps before the secret meeting began.
祕密會議開始前，技術人員掃描了房間，檢查有沒有電子竊聽裝置。
用法筆記
Frequently used with the preposition 'on' to specify what is being monitored: 'a tap on the phone'. The phrase 'to put a tap on someone's line' is common in crime and spy-related contexts. In formal legal language, 'wiretap' is often preferred.
常見錯誤
10. a speech sound produced when the tip of the tongue makes a very fast, light cont
彈音；輕觸音
舌尖快速碰觸牙齦發出的語音
a speech sound produced when the tip of the tongue makes a very fast, light contact with the ridge just behind the upper front teeth
In some dialects of English, the /t/ sound between vowels becomes a tap.
在英語的某些方言中，兩個母音之間的 /t/ 音會變成一個彈音。
becomes a tap — describes a phonetic change between vowels
Linguists call the quick r-like sound in the word 'butter' an alveolar tap.
語言學家把「butter」這個字裡快速的 r 音稱為齒齦彈音。
alveolar tap — full technical term for this sound
Beatrix heard the difference between a tap and a full /d/ sound after months of training.
Beatrix 經過數個月的訓練後，能分辨彈音和完整的 /d/ 音之間的差異。
Karim's study compared the use of the tap sound across three Spanish dialects.
Karim 的研究比較了三種西班牙語方言中彈音的使用情形。
A single tap of the tongue can change a word's meaning in some languages.
在某些語言中，舌頭的一個輕彈就能改變一個字的意義。
- flap
often used interchangeably with 'tap' in phonetic descriptions, though some linguists distinguish them by tongue movement
- alveolar flap
the alternative technical name for this sound
用法筆記
This technical term belongs to phonetics and phonology. It is almost never used in everyday conversation. The full phrase 'alveolar tap' or 'alveolar flap' is preferred in academic writing. In American English, the tap is sometimes called a 'flap' instead, though the two terms describe slightly different tongue movements.