1
general::
Phrase(s): 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., Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs