Is the tab-hook end on your tape measure loose? Does it slide back and forth a little bit? Before you decide to tighten it and make it secure to the end of your retractable metal tape measure, you should know that all tab-hook ends are designed to slide back and forth just a teensy-weensy bit to automatically compensate for the thickness of the tab hook end when taking inside and outside measurements. When hooked over something (for an outside measurement), it pulls out the exact thickness of the tab. Then, when pushed up against something (for an inside measurement), it slides back in the exact thickness of the tab, for a precise and accurate measure -- in either case. So, if your tape measure tip seems broken -- it isn't. And that's the On The House tip for today.