Further off-topic, but I almost exclusively see tap used as some kind of clever way around a return line, e.g. instead of: def build_hash_or_whatever

Further off-topic, but I almost exclusively see tap used as some kind of clever way around a return line, e.g. instead of: def build_hash_or_whatever hash = Hash.new hash[:foo] = some_generating_method hash[:bar] = "some value" if whatever? # More hash construction nonsense hash end With tap it is: def build_hash_or_whatever Hash.new.tap do |hash| hash[:foo] = some_generating_method hash[:bar] = "some value" if whatever? # More hash construction nonsense end end I think the tap-form is significantly worse and I don't understand the aversion to a single line that clearly shows what you are returning.