- tab
- tab tab [tæb] noun [countable]1. a small piece of paper or cloth that is fixed to the edge of something, usually giving information about it2. a bill for something, especially one that has gradually increased over time:
• One out of three credit card holders pays their credit card tab in full every month.
• the estimated government tab for resolving the S&L crisis
3. a system used in some bars and restaurants in which they keep a record of what you have bought and you pay for it later:• Can you put these drinks on my tab?
4. pick up the tab to pay for something, especially when it is not your responsibility to pay:• Taxpayers are picking up the tab for the government's mistakes.
5. also tab stop COMPUTING a button on a computer keyboard that you press to move forward to a particular place on a line of text* * *
Ⅰ.tab UK US /tæb/ noun [C]► a small piece of paper, metal, or cloth that is attached to the edge of something: »The metal tabs at one end are where the wires fasten.
► IT, INTERNET a small symbol on a website that gives you information about the different pages you can open on that website: »Move between pages by clicking on the tabs at the top of the screen.
► (also tab stop) IT a fixed position on a line of text that you are writing on a computer, etc. that can be reached by pressing the tab key► INFORMAL the amount of money that is charged for something: »The committee will reimburse the state $70,000 of the $105,000 tab for a recent trade mission to Ireland.
»The tab to clean up the mess caused by the oil spill has already hit $9 million.
pick up the tab (for sth) »The state picks up the health care tab for many low-income clients.
pay the tab (for sth) »Pharmaceutical companies pay most of the tab for the trials.
► a record of what you have ordered or used but not yet paid for, especially in a bar or restaurant: put sth on the/your tab »Just put it on the tab, please.
on sb's tab »I ordered drinks for everyone, even though this was all going on my tab.
»They were put up in hotels on the state's tab.
Ⅱ.tab UK US /tæb/ verb [T, usually passive]► to think or say that someone or something should have a particular job or use: tab sb to do sth »He was tabbed to restore glory and dignity to USA Basketball.
tab sb as sth »The CEO unofficially tabbed him as his successor.
tab sb/sth for sth »She was tabbed for a seat on the Board.
► to put tabs on something: tab sth with sth »There was a stack of mail-order catalogues tabbed with sticky labels.
Financial and business terms. 2012.
