verb

rap

Translation

to knock, to tap, to perform rap music, to criticize

He rapped on the door with his knuckles.

She loves to rap to her favorite songs.

The boss rapped him for being late.

((on/at sth.)) to strike (sth.) sharply He rapped on the window.

((about sth.)) to perform rap music about (sth.) The artist rapped about social issues.

((sb.)) ((for sth./-ing)) to criticize or blame (sb.) for (sth.) She was rapped for her poor performance.

Synonyms: (knock) tap, strike; (music) chant; (criticize) scold, rebuke

The 'knock' sense is onomatopoeic. The music sense is from a slang term for 'to talk, chat'.

Think of the 'rap' of knuckles on a door, the 'rap' of a beat, and the 'rap' of sharp criticism.