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/Sounds like "tah" (as in "tar") + "PAH" (as in "park") + "oh" (as in "oh")/

Meaning

Someone in the closet, hiding their sexual orientation and living a double life in the Caribbean. Tapao literally means 'covered' and captures that secret-keeping weight. In the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, it often refers specifically to a gay man who isn't out.

Examples

Everyone knows he's in the closet except himself.

He came out after years of hiding.

Regional synonyms

To strike out the batter with three strikes in baseball, the most humiliating moment for the hitter and most glorious for the pitcher. Also used to say something broke down, like a flat tire.