1 B2 idiomatic neutral
(Combat sports) To signal submission or defeat by repeatedly tapping the mat or one's opponent.
"The wrestler was caught in an armlock and had no choice but to tap out."
inseparable
tap out
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To signal surrender or exhaustion in combat or informal use, to exhaust a supply, or to type something out by tapping.
In plain English
To tap the floor/mat to give up in a fight, or to say you're too tired or have run out of something.
What does "tap out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
(Informal) To reach the limits of one's energy, money, or resources and be unable to continue.
"We've tapped out our budget for this month — no more spending."
separable
3 B1 neutral
To knock or shake something out of a container by tapping it.
"He tapped out the last few drops of tobacco from the pouch."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To tap the surface as a signal, or to knock something out by tapping.
Actually means
To tap the floor/mat to give up in a fight, or to say you're too tired or have run out of something.
Usage tip
The combat sports sense (MMA, wrestling) is the most specific: a fighter taps their hand on the mat or opponent to signal they are giving up. Informally extended to mean 'I've had enough' or 'I've used up all of something.' Also used literally to mean knocking or tapping something out of a container.
Words that pair with "tap out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
funds resources energy fight mat savings signal
How to conjugate "tap out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tap out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
taps out
he/she/it
Past simple
taped out
yesterday
Past participle
taped out
have + pp
-ing form
taping out
continuous
Hear "tap out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tap out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.