a wire tap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wire tap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of secretly listening to or recording someone's conversations, typically for surveillance purposes. Example: "The authorities obtained a warrant to install a wire tap on the suspect's phone to gather evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Hacking into an optical network like this is the modern equivalent of a wire tap.

The Economist

They started a wire tap, recorded thousands of calls, and arrested me five months later.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The FBI put a wire tap on King before the march.

The Guardian - Books

In this digital, internet age, David Cameron or Barack Obama no longer need  the archaic crudity of a burglary or a wire tap.

Independent

She was asked by the FBI to authorise a wire tap on Wen Ho Lee, a scientist at the centre of Chinese spying allegations.

The Economist

But this larger-than-life character was only a small cog in Fifa's global money-making machine and the FBI successfully persuaded him to wear a wire tap and rat on his fellow officials – in a classic law-enforcement sting usually directed at mobsters.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In the offline world, governments generally need a judge to sign a warrant to put a wire-tap in place; the same goes for a physical search of property.

The Economist

The scandal came to light after the discovery of a wire-tap recording, made without judicial approval, of a conversation between South Korea's ambassador to the United States and a top executive from the Samsung Group.

The Economist

One last example: the title of the popular American TV show The Wire initially referred to a wire-tap that the Baltimore police were using to try to nail an outfit of local drug dealers, but soon became a metaphor for the premise that a wide variety of organisations and individuals in the city of Baltimore were connected.

The Guardian - Film

They were also grateful when one of the instructors in a wire-tapping school conducted by the Treasury Department introduced the term "wire supervising" to describe the work.

The New Yorker

On February 3rd the prosecutor's office said that 44 people had testified as either victims or witnesses in a wire-tapping scandal.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, ensure that the term "a wire tap" is used accurately, respecting legal and ethical implications of surveillance. Provide context to clarify whether the "wire tap" is authorized or unauthorized to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a wire tap" loosely without acknowledging the strict legal framework surrounding its use. Always clarify if a warrant is required and whether the "wire tap" in question complies with legal standards, to prevent misinterpretations about surveillance legality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wire tap" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb to describe the act of intercepting communications. Ludwig AI confirms its use in sentences related to investigations, surveillance, and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a wire tap" is grammatically sound and commonly employed, particularly in news and media, to describe the interception of communications. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage across various contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's crucial to use it accurately, respecting the legal and ethical implications of surveillance. Alternative phrases such as "electronic surveillance" or "telephone tapping" can be used depending on the specific context. Be mindful of the legal requirements surrounding wiretapping to prevent misinterpretations. The most authoritative sources for this phrase include The Guardian, Huffington Post, The Economist, The New York Times, and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

telephone tapping

Specifically refers to intercepting phone conversations.

phone surveillance

Focuses on monitoring phone activity.

electronic surveillance

Focuses on the technological aspect of monitoring communications.

bugging

Refers to the use of a hidden microphone for surveillance.

eavesdropping

A more general term for secretly listening to a conversation.

interception of communications

A formal term for gaining access to private communications.

surreptitious listening

Emphasizes the secretive and stealthy manner of listening.

covert listening device

Highlights the secretive nature and the device used for listening.

unauthorized surveillance

Highlights the lack of permission for the monitoring.

secret recording

Emphasizes the hidden aspect of the recording.

FAQs

How is "a wire tap" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "a wire tap" is used to describe the action of secretly monitoring communications, often by law enforcement. For example, "The police obtained a warrant for "a wire tap" on the suspect's phone".

What are some alternatives to saying "a wire tap"?

You can use alternatives like "electronic surveillance", "telephone tapping", or "eavesdropping" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "a wire tap" and "electronic surveillance"?

"A wire tap" often implies directly tapping into a phone line, while "electronic surveillance" is a broader term that includes various methods of monitoring communications, not just phone lines.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a wire tap"?

Use "a wire tap" when you're specifically referring to the act of intercepting telephone or electronic communications, usually in a legal or investigative context. Ensure clarity and accuracy when discussing surveillance methods.