tab
tab [tab tabs tabbed tabbing] noun, verb BrE [tæb] NAmE [tæb]
noun
1. a small piece of paper, cloth, metal, etc. that sticks out from the edge of sth, and that is used to give information about it, or to hold it, fasten it, etc
•Insert tab A into slot 1 (= for example to make a model, box, etc.).
2. = ↑tab stop
3. (NAmE) = ↑pull tab
4. a bill for goods you receive but pay for later, especially for food or drinks in a restaurant or bar; the price or cost of sth
•a bar tab
•Can I put it on my tab?
•The tab for the meeting could be $3 000.
5. (informal)a small solid piece of an illegal drug
•a tab of Ecstasy
6. = ↑tablature
•guitar tabs
more at pick up the tab at ↑pick v.
Word Origin:
v. and n. senses 1 to 4 late Middle English ↑tagn. sense 5 1960s
Example Bank:
•Who is going to pick up the tab for the legal expenses?
•He walked out of the restaurant and left me to pick up the tab for the whole meal.
Idiom: ↑keep tabs on somebody
verb (-bb-)
1. ~ sb (as) sth (especially NAmE)to say that sb is suitable for a particular job or role or describe them in a particular way
•He has been tabbed by many people as a future champion.
2. ~ sth to use the ↑tab key when you are using a keyboard
Verb forms: 
Word Origin:
v. and n. senses 1 to 4 late Middle English ↑tagn. sense 5 1960s
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