taps
B2Formal (military context); Informal/Neutral (general 'touch' meaning)
Definition
Meaning
A bugle call or drum signal sounded at military funerals or to signal 'lights out' at night; also, a light, quick touch or strike.
In American English, the signal marking the end of the day on a military base and played at military funerals. In general use, it can refer to a series of light touches or strikes, or to the act of drawing liquid from a cask, barrel, or other container.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The military meaning is strongly associated with solemnity and finality. The verb/noun meaning related to touching is often associated with rhythm or light, repeated contact.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The military bugle call 'Taps' is a US term. The UK equivalent for the 'lights out' signal is 'Last Post'. The general meaning of 'light touches' is common to both.
Connotations
In the US, 'Taps' carries heavy emotional weight, associated with Memorial Day, funerals, and national remembrance. In the UK, the concept is tied to 'Last Post'. The 'light touch' meaning is neutral.
Frequency
Far more frequent in American English due to the specific military ceremony. The 'light touch' meaning has similar, low frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[N] taps on [surface][N] plays/sounds taps[N] is/are performed (as taps)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “toe-tapping (enthusiastic)”
- “on tap (available)”
- “tap into (access a resource)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Potentially in 'tap into a market'.
Academic
Rare, except in historical/military studies.
Everyday
The light touch meaning ('the rain tapped the window').
Technical
Military protocol; music (percussion).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He taps his fingers impatiently on the mahogany desk.
- The government plans to tap new sources of renewable energy.
American English
- She taps her foot to the country music beat.
- The brewery taps a new keg for the festival.
adverb
British English
- He walked tap-tap-tap down the marble corridor.
- (Rarely used as a standalone adverb)
American English
- The keys went tap tap tap as she typed.
- (Rarely used as a standalone adverb)
adjective
British English
- The tap room was busy with locals.
- He wore special tap shoes for the audition.
American English
- We ordered a tap beer at the bar.
- The dancer's tap routine was incredibly fast.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I hear taps on the window. It is the rain.
- The soldier plays taps.
- The sound of light taps on the door woke her up.
- At the ceremony, a bugler performed a moving rendition of Taps.
- The constant taps of the branch against the pane became an irritating rhythm.
- The emotional weight of hearing Taps played at the veterans' memorial is profound.
- His dissertation included an analysis of 'Taps' as a cultural signifier of American military sacrifice.
- She could identify the woodpecker species by the distinctive staccato taps it made on the tree trunk.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a soldier TAPPING the drum lightly at the end of the day, which became the signal called TAPS.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENDINGS ARE A FINAL SIGNAL (The bugle call marks an ending); ATTENTION/COMMUNICATION IS A LIGHT TOUCH (Tapping to get someone's notice).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите военное 'Taps' как 'краны' (water taps). Это специфический ритуал. 'Light taps' можно перевести как 'лёгкие постукивания'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'taps' (military) in a UK context without explanation. Confusing 'taps' (noun) with 'taps' (verb 3rd person singular). Misspelling as 'tabs'.
Practice
Quiz
In British military tradition, the equivalent ceremony to the American 'Taps' is known as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in the US military, it is also played daily to signal 'lights out'. Its most famous and solemn use, however, is at military funerals and memorials.
Yes, but the form is 'tap' (he taps, she tapped). 'Taps' as a noun is typically treated as plural in form but singular in meaning when referring to the bugle call (e.g., Taps is played).
'Tap' is the base form (verb: to touch lightly; noun: a light touch or a valve). 'Taps' is the plural noun (multiple light touches) or the proper noun for the specific bugle call.
It originates from the Dutch 'taptoe', meaning 'turn off the taps' (of the beer barrels), signaling time to return to barracks. The modern US melody was arranged during the American Civil War.