close the tap

USAGE SUMMARY

"close the tap" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of turning off a tap to stop the flow of water. For example: "Please close the tap before you leave the bathroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Sometimes it's a good idea to open the tap in a calibrated fashion, lest you flood the place and then have to erratically close the tap or clean the mess," Mr. Chadha said.

The New York Times

But the combination of Australian bravado, advanced United States military technology and indirect Iranian cooperation has enabled Washington virtually to close the tap on oil smuggled through the gulf.

The New York Times

The moment we close the tap, then it's done," he was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.

BBC

The moment we close the tap, then it's done".

Huffington Post

The moment we close the tap, then it's done". Turkey's parliament extended the authorization for Turkish troops in both Iraq and Syria.

HuffPost

There Is no closeicthef intapest to decland.

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In September, days after meeting the head of Gazprom, Orbán announced that Hungary was refusing to "reverse-pump" Russian gas back to Ukraine, ditching an EU policy aimed at keeping Ukraine partly supplied should the Russians close the taps to Kiev.

The Guardian

The water's energy causes the watermills to rotate and generate visuals and sounds, so users can open or close the taps controlling the water circuit and watch the fish-like creatures swim back and forth as bright light erupts and mysterious sounds create a sense of disorientation.

Vice

Last week he closed the tap on the 2.3 million barrels a day of oil that Baghdad exports when consuming nations rejected his demand for a 50-cent-a-barrel surcharge over U.N.-administered prices.

The New York Times

In return, perhaps Mr. Zwick can trade his job for one in Asia that disappears when he closes the tap on fossil fuels?

Forbes

The mobilizers were slowly closing the tap of the stream of infections heading to the Ebola Treatment Centers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close the tap" when referring to the physical action of turning off a water source or, metaphorically, when describing the cessation of a supply or resource.

Common error

Avoid using "close the tap" in contexts where a more precise or nuanced term is needed. For example, instead of saying "they closed the tap on innovation", consider "they stifled innovation" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close the tap" primarily functions as a verb phrase directing an action. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates stopping the flow from a tap, literally or figuratively, similar to examples showing controlled release or complete closure of a resource.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close the tap" is a versatile phrase that can be used both literally and figuratively. It is grammatically correct and most commonly used in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability for expressing the action of stopping a flow or supply. To enhance clarity and impact in writing, consider the context and choose more precise alternatives like "turn off the faucet" or "stop the flow" when appropriate. Avoid overuse in contexts that demand a more nuanced description to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn off the faucet

Replaces 'tap' with a synonym, focusing on the fixture itself.

shut off the water supply

Broadens the action to the entire water supply system.

stop the flow of water

Emphasizes the action of halting the water's movement.

halt the flow

Similar to stopping the flow, but can apply to various contexts beyond water.

cut off the access

Shifts the context to stopping access to something, not necessarily water.

end the supply

Focuses on terminating the provision of a resource.

block the source

Emphasizes preventing the origin from providing something.

cease the provision

A more formal way of saying 'end the supply'.

terminate the connection

Focuses on cutting off a link or relationship.

seal the opening

Highlights physically closing an aperture or passage.

FAQs

What does "close the tap" mean?

Literally, "close the tap" means to turn off a faucet to stop the flow of water. Figuratively, it means to stop the supply of something, such as money or information.

Is it better to say "close the tap" or "turn off the faucet"?

Both "close the tap" and "turn off the faucet" are correct, but "close the tap" is more common in British English, while "turn off the faucet" is more common in American English.

What is a metaphorical use of "close the tap"?

Metaphorically, "close the tap" means to stop the flow or supply of something. For example, "The government decided to close the tap on funding for the project."

What can I say instead of "close the tap"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "turn off the faucet", "stop the flow", or "cut off the supply".