(British football slang) To illegally approach a player who is contracted to another club with an offer to switch teams.
To secretly ask a player from another football team if they want to come and play for your team — which is against the rules.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
(British football) To make an illegal approach to a contracted player in order to persuade them to move to a different club.
"The Premier League club was fined for tapping up the midfielder while he was still under contract."
(Informal, extended) To approach someone unofficially asking for money, a favour, or participation in something.
"He tapped up all his friends for donations to the charity run."
Primarily British English, strongly associated with football (soccer). Constitutes a breach of football regulations. Used by sports journalists and fans. Can also be used informally in other contexts to mean approaching someone for a favour or unofficial deal.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "tap up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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