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Tap vs. Chaser: What's the Difference?

By Aimie Carlson & Harlon Moss || Updated on May 24, 2024
Tap refers to a device for controlling the flow of liquid, typically water, from a pipe, while chaser is a drink consumed after a shot of alcohol to mitigate its strong taste.

Key Differences

Tap refers to a device that controls the release of liquids, usually water, from a pipe. It is commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms, providing an easy way to access water. Chaser, on the other hand, is a beverage consumed immediately after a stronger alcoholic drink to lessen its intensity. This practice is common in bars and social drinking scenarios.
A tap allows precise control over the flow and temperature of water, making it an essential household fixture. Chasers, however, serve a different purpose by helping to counteract the strong taste of spirits, often enhancing the drinking experience.
While a tap can be turned on or off to manage water flow, a chaser is typically consumed quickly after a shot of alcohol. This sequence helps to reduce the burning sensation associated with high-proof liquors.
In various cultures, taps are integral to daily routines, facilitating hygiene and food preparation. Chasers are more associated with social events and nightlife, providing a smoother drinking experience.
Taps are durable fixtures that require installation and maintenance, whereas chasers are temporary and varied, including soft drinks, juices, or even another type of alcohol.
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Using a tap involves a manual operation to release or stop water, ensuring it meets the user's needs. Conversely, choosing a chaser is more about personal preference and taste compatibility with the initial drink.
Taps are available in various designs and technologies, from basic models to touchless, sensor-based versions. Chasers range from simple water or soda to complex cocktails designed to complement specific spirits.

Comparison Chart

Definition

Device controlling water flow from a pipe
Drink consumed after alcohol to reduce taste

Usage

Daily hygiene, cooking, cleaning
Social drinking, enhancing alcohol experience

Operation

Manual or sensor-based control
Consumed immediately after a shot
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Context

Household, bathrooms, kitchens
Bars, parties, social gatherings

Types

Various designs and technologies
Soft drinks, juices, additional alcohol

Tap and Chaser Definitions

Tap

A valve for regulating fluid.
He replaced the faulty tap in the garden.

Chaser

Drink mitigating the taste of spirits.
She always has a soda as a chaser.

Tap

Source of water supply.
They installed a new tap outside the house.

Chaser

Follow-up drink to an initial shot.
Tequila with a lime chaser is popular.

Tap

Device for dispensing beverages.
The bartender pulled beer from the tap.

Chaser

Complementary beverage post-shot.
He preferred juice as a chaser.

Tap

To strike gently with a light blow or blows
I tapped you on the shoulder to get your attention.

Chaser

Enhancing drink experience.
The bartender suggested a chaser to go with the rum.

Tap

To give a light rap with
Tap a pencil.

Chaser

One that chases or pursues another
A chaser of criminals.

Tap

To produce with a succession of light blows
Tap out a rhythm.

Chaser

A drink, as of beer or water, taken after hard liquor.

Tap

To select, as for membership in an organization; designate.

Chaser

One who decorates metal by engraving or embossing.

Tap

To repair (shoe heels or toes) by applying a thin layer of leather or a substitute material.

Chaser

A steel tool for cutting or finishing screw threads.

Tap

To attach metal plates to (shoe toes or heels).

Chaser

A person or thing (ship, plane, car, etc.) that chases.

Tap

To deliver a gentle, light blow or blows.

Chaser

(archaic) A hunter.

Tap

To walk making light clicks.

Chaser

A horse: (originally) a horse used for hunting; (now) a horse trained for steeplechasing, a steeplechaser.

Tap

To tap-dance.

Chaser

A drink drunk after another of a different kind.
Beer chaser
Straight, no chaser

Tap

To furnish with a spigot or tap.

Chaser

Someone who follows logs out of the forest in order to signal a yarder engineer to stop them if they become fouled also called a frogger.

Tap

To pierce in order to draw off liquid
Tap a maple tree.

Chaser

(logging) One who unhooks chokers from the logs at the landing.

Tap

To draw (liquid) from a vessel or container
Tap a new keg of beer.

Chaser

A piece of music, etc. played after a performance while the audience leaves.

Tap

(Medicine) To withdraw fluid from (a body cavity).

Chaser

One of a series of adjacent light bulbs that cycle on and off to give the illusion of movement.

Tap

To make a physical connection with or open outlets from
Tap a water main.

Chaser

A long piece of flexible wire used to draw an electrical cable through a wall cavity.

Tap

To wiretap (a telephone or communications channel).

Chaser

Synonym of prison chaser

Tap

To establish an electric connection in (a power line), as to divert current secretly.

Chaser

(slang) A person who seeks out sexual partners with a particular quality:

Tap

To establish access to or a connection with
Tapped a new market for inexpensive books.

Chaser

(slang) A tranny chaser.

Tap

To take advantage of; make use of
Tapped voter anger to win the election.

Chaser

(slang) A chubby chaser.

Tap

To cut screw threads in (a collar, socket, or other fitting).

Chaser

(slang) A person who seeks partners with HIV in order to become infected.

Tap

(Informal) To ask (a person) for money.

Chaser

In the sport of Quidditch or Muggle quidditch, a player responsible for passing the quaffle and scoring goals with it.

Tap

A gentle blow.

Chaser

Any dragonfly of family Libellulidae.

Tap

The sound made by such a blow.

Chaser

Someone who chases decorates metal; a person who decorates metal by engraving or embossing.

Tap

A thin layer of leather or a substitute applied to a worn-down shoe heel or toe.

Chaser

A tool used for cleaning out screw threads, either as an integral part of a tap or die to remove waste material produced by the cutting tool, or as a separate tool to repair damaged threads.

Tap

A metal plate attached to the toe or heel of a shoe, as for tap-dancing.

Chaser

(nautical) A chase gun.
Bow chaser; stern chaser

Tap

Tap dance.

Chaser

One who or that which chases; a pursuer; a driver; a hunter.

Tap

(Linguistics) See flap.

Chaser

Same as Chase gun, esp. in terms bow chaser and stern chaser. See under Bow, Stern.

Tap

A valve and spout used to regulate delivery of a fluid at the end of a pipe.

Chaser

One who chases or engraves. See 5th Chase, and Enchase.

Tap

A plug for a bunghole; a spigot.

Chaser

A tool with several points, used for cutting or finishing screw threads, either external or internal, on work revolving in a lathe.

Tap

Liquor drawn from a spigot.

Chaser

A person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture;
Always before he had been able to outwit his pursuers

Tap

Liquor of a particular brew, cask, or quality.

Chaser

A drink to follow immediately after another drink

Tap

(Medicine) The removal of fluid from a body cavity
A spinal tap.

Chaser

Beverage consumed after strong alcohol.
He ordered a beer chaser after his whiskey.

Tap

A tool for cutting an internal screw thread.

Tap

A makeshift terminal in an electric circuit.

Tap

A wiretap.

Tap

A tapering cylindrical pin or peg used to stop the vent in a cask.

Tap

A device used to dispense liquids.
We don't have bottled water; you'll have to get it from the tap.

Tap

Liquor drawn through a tap; hence, a certain kind or quality of liquor.
A liquor of the same tap

Tap

A place where liquor is drawn for drinking.

Tap

(mechanics) A device used to cut an internal screw thread. (External screw threads are cut with a die.)
We drilled a hole and then cut the threads with the proper tap to match the valve's thread.

Tap

A connection made to an electrical or fluid conductor without breaking it.
The system was barely keeping pressure due to all of the ill-advised taps along its length.

Tap

An interception of communication by authority.

Tap

A device used to listen in secretly on telephone calls.

Tap

A procedure that removes fluid from a body cavity.
Abdominal tap
Pleural tap
Spinal tap

Tap

(finance) The situation where a borrowing government authority issues bonds over a period of time, usually at a fixed price, with volumes sold on a particular day dependent on market conditions.
Tap issue; a bond tap

Tap

A gentle or slight blow; a light rap; a pat.
When Steve felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around.

Tap

(dance) tap dance

Tap

The act of touching a touch screen.

Tap

A piece of leather fastened upon the bottom of a boot or shoe in repairing or renewing the sole or heel.

Tap

(military) A signal, by drum or trumpet, for extinguishing all lights in soldiers' quarters and retiring to bed; usually given about a quarter of an hour after tattoo.

Tap

(phonetics) A consonant sound made by a single muscle contraction, such as the sound [ɾ] in the standard American English pronunciation of body.

Tap

An Indian malarial fever.

Tap

To furnish with taps.
If we tap the maple trees, we can get maple syrup!

Tap

To draw off liquid from a vessel.
He tapped a new barrel of beer.

Tap

To deplete, especially of a liquid via a tap; to tap out.

Tap

To exploit.
Businesses are trying to tap the youth market.

Tap

To place a listening or recording device on a telephone or wired connection.
They can't tap the phone without a warrant.

Tap

To intercept a communication without authority.
He was known to tap cable television.

Tap

(mechanical) To cut an internal screw thread.
Tap an M3 thread all the way through the hole.

Tap

To turn or flip a card or playing piece to remind players that it has already been used that turn (by analogy to "tapping," in the sense of drawing on to the point of temporary exhaustion, the resources or abilities represented by the card).

Tap

(informal) To cadge, borrow or beg.
I tried to tap a cigarette off him, but he wouldn't give me one.

Tap

To drain off fluid by paracentesis.

Tap

To advance someone for a post or job, or for membership of a club.
Trump interviewed Mueller for FBI job day before he was tapped for special counsel.

Tap

To strike lightly.
She tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.

Tap

To touch one's finger, foot, or other body parts on a surface (usually) repeatedly.
He was so nervous he began to tap his fingers on the table.
She tapped her companion on the back to indicate that she was ready to go.
Lydia tapped Jim on the shoulder to get his attention.

Tap

To make a sharp noise.
The tree, swaying in the breeze, began to tap on the window pane.

Tap

(graphical user interface) To operate an electronic device (e.g. a mobile phone) by tapping a specific place on its (capacitive or other) touch screen.

Tap

To designate for some duty or for membership, as in 'a tap on the shoulder'.

Tap

To have sexual intercourse with.
I would tap that hot girl over there.
I'd tap that.

Tap

(combat sports) To submit to an opponent by tapping one's hand repeatedly.

Tap

To force (an opponent) to submit.

Tap

To put a new sole or heel on.
To tap shoes

Tap

To strike with a slight or gentle blow; to touch gently; to rap lightly; to pat; as, to tap one with the hand or a cane.

Tap

To put a new sole or heel on; as, to tap shoes.

Tap

To strike a gentle blow.

Tap

To pierce so as to let out, or draw off, a fluid; as, to tap a cask, a tree, a tumor, a keg of beer, etc.

Tap

Hence, to draw resources from (a reservoir) in any analogous way; as, to tap someone's knowledge of the Unix system; to tap the treasury.

Tap

To draw, or cause to flow, by piercing.
He has been tapping his liquors.

Tap

To form an internal screw in (anything) by means of a tool called a tap; as, to tap a nut, a pipe, or tubing.

Tap

To connect a listening device to (a telephone or telegraph line) secretly, for the purpose of hearing private conversations; also, to obtain or record (information) by tapping; - a technique used by law enforcement agencies investigating suspected criminals. In the United States it is illegal without a court order permitting it.

Tap

A gentle or slight blow; a light rap; a pat.

Tap

A piece of leather fastened upon the bottom of a boot or shoe in repairing or renewing the sole or heel.

Tap

A signal, by drum or trumpet, for extinguishing all lights in soldiers' quarters and retiring to bed, - usually given about a quarter of an hour after tattoo.

Tap

A hole or pipe through which liquor is drawn.

Tap

A plug or spile for stopping a hole pierced in a cask, or the like; a faucet.

Tap

Liquor drawn through a tap; hence, a certain kind or quality of liquor; as, a liquor of the same tap.

Tap

A place where liquor is drawn for drinking; a taproom; a bar.

Tap

A tool for forming an internal screw, as in a nut, consisting of a hardened steel male screw grooved longitudinally so as to have cutting edges.

Tap

The sound made by a gentle blow

Tap

A faucet for drawing water from a pipe or cask

Tap

A gentle blow

Tap

A small metal plate that attaches to the toe or heel of a shoe (as in tap dancing)

Tap

A tool for cutting female (internal) screw threads

Tap

A plug for a bunghole in a cask

Tap

The act of tapping a telephone or telegraph line to get information

Tap

A light touch or stroke

Tap

Cut a female screw thread with a tap

Tap

Draw from or dip into to get something;
Tap one's memory
Tap a source of money

Tap

Strike lightly;
He tapped me on the shoulder

Tap

Draw from; make good use of;
We must exploit the resources we are given wisely

Tap

Tap a telephone or telegraph wire to get information;
The FBI was tapping the phone line of the suspected spy
Is this hotel room bugged?

Tap

Furnish with a tap or spout, so as to be able to draw liquid from it;
Tap a cask of wine

Tap

Make light, repeated taps on a surface;
He was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently

Tap

Walk with a tapping sound

Tap

Dance and make rhythmic clicking sounds by means of metal plates nailed to the sole of the dance shoes;
Glover tapdances better than anybody

Tap

Draw (liquor) from a tap;
Tap beer in a bar

Tap

Pierce in order to draw a liquid from;
Tap a maple tree for its syrup
Tap a keg of beer

Tap

Make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently;
Henry IV solicited the Pope for a divorce
My neighbor keeps soliciting money for different charities

Tap

Device controlling liquid flow from a pipe.
She turned the tap to wash her hands.

Tap

Water outlet fixture in kitchens and bathrooms.
The kitchen tap was leaking.

FAQs

What is a chaser?

A drink consumed after a shot of alcohol to mitigate its strong taste.

Do taps require maintenance?

Yes, regular maintenance is needed to prevent leaks and ensure proper function.

How does a tap function?

By manually or sensor-based control to release or stop water flow.

What is a tap?

A device that controls the flow of liquid from a pipe.

What types of drinks can be chasers?

Soft drinks, juices, water, or even another type of alcohol.

Are taps only for water?

Primarily for water, but they can also dispense other beverages.

Are there different designs of taps?

Yes, from basic to advanced sensor-based designs.

Where are taps commonly found?

In kitchens and bathrooms.

Can a chaser be alcoholic?

Yes, sometimes another type of alcohol is used as a chaser.

Why do people use chasers?

To reduce the burning sensation and enhance the drinking experience.

Can taps dispense hot and cold water?

Yes, many taps are designed to mix hot and cold water.

Is using a chaser a cultural practice?

Yes, it is common in social drinking cultures.

Can a tap be used outdoors?

Yes, taps are often installed in gardens and outdoor spaces.

Is it necessary to use a chaser?

Not necessary, but preferred by many for taste reasons.

Is it common to use water as a chaser?

Yes, water is a simple and effective chaser.

What materials are taps made of?

Usually metal, such as stainless steel or brass.

Do taps come with different features?

Yes, such as filtration systems or touchless operation.

Can a chaser improve the taste of a drink?

It can make the experience more palatable and enjoyable.

What’s a popular non-alcoholic chaser?

Soda or juice is commonly used.

Do different cultures have unique chasers?

Yes, the choice of chasers can vary widely by culture and preference.
About Author
Written by
Aimie Carlson
Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Harlon Moss
Harlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.

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