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tap out

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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

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

tap out

v.

1. To produce something with a succession of light taps: She tapped out a rhythm with her pencil. The captain tapped out a distress signal in Morse code. I tapped the letter out on my computer.

2. To submit in a fight, wrestling match, or other contest by tapping the ground with the hand: Unable to free himself from the choke hold, the wrestler tapped out.

3. Baseball To hit the ball weakly so that one is put out at first base: The batter tapped out, and the inning was over. The hitter tapped out with a ground ball to third base.

4. To deplete some resource or the resources of someone or something: The hurricane tapped out the city's emergency funds. The medical expenses tapped us out. The housing market is tapped out now that so many new houses have been built.

See also: out, tap

tap out

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

2. in. to die; to expire. Mary was so tired that she thought she was going to tap out.

See also: out, tap