1 B1 idiomatic informal
To send something to someone quickly, especially by electronic means such as email, text, or fax.
"I'll zap over the report to you before the meeting starts."
separable
zap over
B1 informal separable transitive
To send something quickly to someone, usually electronically; or to switch quickly to a different TV channel.
In plain English
To send something very quickly to someone — like emailing a file — or to quickly change the channel on TV.
What does "zap over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To switch a television channel quickly using a remote control.
"She zapped over to the sports channel just in time to catch the final score."
inseparable
Usage tip
Primarily informal British and American English. The 'send electronically' sense (email, fax, text) became common in the 1980s–90s. The channel-changing sense comes from the use of a remote control, also called a 'zapper' in British English. Both senses remain in use.
Words that pair with "zap over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
email file document channel copy message
How to conjugate "zap over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
zap over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
zaps over
he/she/it
Past simple
zaped over
yesterday
Past participle
zaped over
have + pp
-ing form
zaping over
continuous
Hear "zap over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "zap over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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