ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tab

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈtæb// UK //tˈæb// tab Informal Slang

n. a small button on a computer keyboard that moves the cursor to the next space. It can also mean a bill you pay later, like at a bar or restaurant.

n. a key on a computer keyboard used to advance the cursor to the next stop; also, a running account of charges to be paid at a later date. Informal when referring to a financial bill.


SIMPLE

Press the tab key to indent the first line of the paragraph.

CONTEXTUAL

The group decided to open a tab at the bar so they could pay for all their drinks at once.

COMPLEX

Navigating through the digital form requires frequent use of the tab key to move between input fields efficiently without relying on a mouse.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'pick up the tab' to mean paying for a group's expenses.

Pitfall

I will pay the tab of the dinnerI will pick up the tab for dinnerThe idiom 'pick up the tab' is the standard way to express paying for a bill, usually followed by 'for'.

Idioms1 entry

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