tab
The word evokes a sense of a physical protrusion or a marker used for quick access and organization. Whether it is a metal ring on a can or a digital page in a browser, the core image is a small, distinct handle that allows a user to switch or open something efficiently.
In a financial context, the term carries a casual, ongoing feeling. It suggests a trust-based arrangement where payment is deferred until the end of a session, making it common in social settings like pubs or cafes rather than formal business transactions.
Countable when referring to physical strips, browser windows, or individual bills.
Meanings
A small flap or strip of material used for pulling or identification.
Pull the tab to open the soda can.
An unpaid bill or a running account of charges at a bar or restaurant.
I will start a tab for the evening.
A programmable key on a computer keyboard used for indentation.
Press the tab key to indent the paragraph.
A digital window or page open within a single web browser.
I have twenty tabs open in my browser.
Phrasal Verbs
tab up
to calculate the total of a running account or bill
The accountant tabbed up the expenses for the business trip.
tab over
to move the cursor or focus to the next field using the tab key
You need to tab over to the email field before entering your address.