tap out

verb

tapped out; tapping out; taps out

intransitive verb

: to run out of money by betting

Examples of tap out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But Universal and Focus have already tapped out of the bidding, sources tell THR. Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024 If your all tapped out at $60 Grand then this is the SUV for you. Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024 Things can become more complex if someone who starts the fight backs off in the middle of it — effectively tapping out. Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Though the number of agricultural lands dwindles by the year as development pushes east and longtime farming families tap out of the business, glimpses of old rural Florida can still be found in this part of town. Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 This may come as a surprise, but some of us are tapped out this time of year. Marla Jo Fisher, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 Volunteers try to fill the gaps, but even those informal supports are nearly tapped out. Jennifer Greenfield, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2024 Survivalists are allowed one helpful item, but are given no help from the camera crews that are there to document their progress — although they are given the option of tapping out for medical or emotional reasons. Briana Richert, James Mercadante, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2024 Every day, what’s left of the once-mighty ranks of reporters across this country tap out stories meant to inform, entertain and expose. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tap out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tap out was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near tap out

Cite this Entry

“Tap out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tap%20out. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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