rap at
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To knock quickly and firmly on something, like a door.
Literal meaning: Striking something sharply and quickly with knuckles or an object.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To knock sharply on a door, window, or surface to attract attention.
"She rapped at the window to get the shopkeeper's attention before he locked up."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 formal
(Literary) To knock urgently or insistently at a door or entrance.
"A stranger was rapping at the door long after midnight."
"Once upon a midnight dreary... suddenly there came a tapping, as of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."
— Edgar Allan Poe, 'The Raven,' 1845
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Typically describes a sharp, crisp knock — more decisive than a tap, less heavy than a full knock. Common in literary and journalistic writing. Slightly more formal or literary in feel than 'knock at.'
Commonly used with
door window table glass door knocker
Forms
Base
rap at
I/you/we/they
3rd person
raps at
he/she/it
Past simple
raped at
yesterday
Past participle
raped at
have + pp
-ing form
raping at
continuous
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