tab
TAB
/tæb/
A running bill of charges accumulated at a bar or restaurant, settled at the end of the visit.
Most commonly used in bars or casual dining where a credit card is held to keep an account open.
The story behind the word. Originated in late 19th-century American slang as a short form of 'tabulation' or 'tally tag'. Taverns hung paper slips on hooks to track drink orders, inspiring the famous idiom 'pick up the tab'.
Word relationships
- bill: 'Bill' is standard general English; 'tab' implies a running account left open during service.
- check: 'Check' is standard American dining terminology presented at the end; 'tab' remains open behind the bar.
- prepayment: Paying for food and drink in advance before consuming.
Commonly confused with
- tag: 'Tag' is an identifying label attached to an item; 'tab' is a running food or drink bill.
Word family
- tabbed (verb): Accounted for or designated on a running tally.
Collocations
- open a tab
- close a tab
- pick up the tab
- run up a tab
Idioms & expressions
- pick up the tab
Example sentences
- "He handed his credit card to the bartender and asked to keep a tab open for his group." Bar night
- "The company picked up the tab for drinks at the team celebration dinner." Corporate event
Memory hook
TABulate your drinks on the TAB. Running bar bill.
When not to use
Avoid using in formal fine dining receipt terminology where 'the check' or 'the bill' is expected.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'pick up the tab' originated in American saloons in the 1890s when a patron would physically take the paper slip off the counter hook to pay for friends.
Also appears in
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