Phrase guide

fight the tape

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To make a trade contrary to the overall tendency of prices, i.e., to buy when prices are generally falling or sell when prices are generally rising.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: business, finance, trading

Examples

  • I kept buying hoping the price would go up, but I eventually decided I was fighting the tape.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the early 20th-century practice of printing stock prices on ticker tape.