tapped

Everyday

1. Hit something lightly and quickly. tree →
2. Touched a screen or button with a finger. tree →
3. Used something useful, like water, energy or talent: «tapped into». tree →
4. Secretly listened to a phone line. tree →
5. Drew liquid out of something, such as a tree or barrel. tree →
6. (slang, «tapped out») Having no money left or being very tired; (slang, «tapped») a bit mad. tree →
7. Tapped can also mean opened something, such as a barrel, to get out what is inside. tree →

In the lessons

In stories: someone tapped on the window or tapped their foot to the music. On phones and tablets you «tapped» an app. In science and geography: people tapped underground water or sap from maple trees. In crime stories a phone was tapped. Phrases: «tapped on the door», «tapped into», «phone was tapped», «tapped out».

Examples

• Someone tapped on my shoulder. tree →
• She tapped the screen to open the game. tree →
• He tapped his foot to the music. tree →
• The farmers tapped water from deep underground. tree →
• The maple trees were tapped for syrup. tree →
• The spy's phone was tapped. tree →
• (slang) I'm tapped out — I spent all my pocket money. tree →
• The teacher tapped the board with a pen. tree →
• Then she tapped the next cask, and out came a bushel of gold pieces. tree →

Note

Double the «p»: tap → tapped, tapping (not «taped», which comes from «tape»). «Tapped» rhymes with «napped». Trap: «taped» (stuck with tape) vs «tapped» (hit lightly).