rat-tat-tat
Quick repetitive rapping
Rat-tat-tat imitates the sound of rapid knocking or gunfire—a series of quick, sharp beats in succession: The rat-tat-tat of the machine gun echoed across the field.
The word appears in various forms (rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat-tat) with the same meaning.
As a verb, to rat-tat-tat is to produce such a sound: Woodpeckers rat-tat-tatted against the siding.
Discharging a weapon
- machinegunContinuous-fire firearm
- automaticOperating without intervention
- burstBreak apart suddenly
- volleySimultaneous firing burst
rounds · bullets · strafing · firefight · salvo · barrage · spray · discharge
Device for catching prey
- drumrollSustained rapid percussion
- sticksSlender wood pieces
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
cadence · tempo · percussion · tattoo · paradiddle · march · drummer · ruffle
Array of input keys
- keysLock-operating instruments
- typewriterMechanical printing keyboard
- clatterLoud rattling noise
- clickBrief sharp noise
tapping · fingers · mechanical · keystroke · clacking · staccato · secretary · transcription
Forceful repeated striking
- racingSpeed competition sport
- palpitationIrregular heartbeat awareness
- throbBeat with intensity
- pulseArterial blood throb
rapid · flutter · thump · chest · nervous · anxious · excitement · adrenaline
shooting
Discharging a weapon
- machinegunContinuous-fire firearm
- automaticOperating without intervention
- burstBreak apart suddenly
volley · rounds · bullets · strafing · firefight · salvo · barrage · spray · discharge · rapid-fire
snare
Device for catching prey
rhythm · cadence · tempo · percussion · tattoo · paradiddle · march · drummer · ruffle · roll
keyboard
Array of input keys
- keysLock-operating instruments
- typewriterMechanical printing keyboard
- clatterLoud rattling noise
click · tapping · fingers · mechanical · keystroke · clacking · staccato · secretary · transcription · teletype
pounding
Forceful repeated striking
- racingSpeed competition sport
- palpitationIrregular heartbeat awareness
- throbBeat with intensity
pulse · rapid · flutter · thump · chest · nervous · anxious · excitement · adrenaline · tachycardia
door
Hinged room barrier
knock · visitor · knocker · entrance · thump · bang · announce · summons · arrival · signal