tab out
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
Click away from what you're doing on your computer to look at something else
Literal meaning: To press the Tab key to get out of something — derived from the keyboard shortcut behavior.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
(Gaming) To leave a full-screen game or application by switching to another program or the desktop
"He tabbed out of the game to check his messages and couldn't get it to load again."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
(General computing, informal) To switch focus away from the current browser tab or application window
"I kept tabbing out to check my email during the lecture."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily used in gaming communities and among people who work at computers. Gamers use it to describe leaving a full-screen game to check something else. Also used casually for switching browser tabs.
Commonly used with
game window browser screen app desktop
Forms
Base
tab out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tabs out
he/she/it
Past simple
tabed out
yesterday
Past participle
tabed out
have + pp
-ing form
tabing out
continuous
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