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Definition of rap verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

rap

verb
 
/ræp/
 
/ræp/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they rap
 
/ræp/
 
/ræp/
he / she / it raps
 
/ræps/
 
/ræps/
past simple rapped
 
/ræpt/
 
/ræpt/
past participle rapped
 
/ræpt/
 
/ræpt/
-ing form rapping
 
/ˈræpɪŋ/
 
/ˈræpɪŋ/
Idioms
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  1. [intransitive, transitive] to hit a hard object or surface several times quickly, making a noise
    • (+ adv./prep.) She rapped angrily on the door.
    • He rapped on the window with his stick.
    • rap something (+ adv./prep.) He rapped the table with his pen.
    Homophones rap | wraprap   wrap
    • rap noun
      • A sharp rap sounded on the door.
    • rap verb
      • He's an artist who really knows how to rap.
    • wrap verb
      • We always wrap presents and leave them under the tree on Christmas Eve.
    • wrap noun
      • Cover the dough with plastic wrap and leave in the refrigerator.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • loudly
    • sharply
    • gently
    preposition
    • on
    • with
    See full entry
  2. [transitive] rap something (out) | + speech to say something suddenly and quickly in a loud, angry way
    • She walked through the store, rapping out orders to her staff.
  3. [transitive] rap somebody/something (for something/for doing something) (used mainly in newspapers) to criticize somebody severely, usually publicly
    • Some of the teachers were rapped for poor performance.
  4. [intransitive, transitive] rap (something) (music) to say the words of a rap see also rapperTopics Musicb2
  5. Word OriginMiddle English (originally in the senses ‘severe blow with a weapon’ and ‘deliver a heavy blow’): probably imitative and of Scandinavian origin; compare with Swedish rappa ‘beat, drub’, also with the verb clap and flap.
Idioms
rap somebody on/over the knuckles | rap somebody’s knuckles
  1. (informal) to criticize somebody for something
    • The company was rapped over the knuckles for broadcasting the interview.
    • She was rapped over the knuckles by her boss for criticizing the company in the press.
See rap in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
previously
adverb
 
 
From the Word list
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