English edit

Verb edit

tap up (third-person singular simple present taps up, present participle tapping up, simple past and past participle tapped up)

  1. (transitive, Britain) To make a specific approach to a person considered to be suitable for a professional position.
    In earlier years, the intelligence services would often recruit agents by tapping them up.
  2. (transitive, Britain, sports) To make an approach to a player, under contract to another club, in order to attempt to negotiate a transfer.
    Synonym: (US, Canada) tamper

See also edit