  We re-examined the classification of the optical transient ASASSN-18ap, which
was initially identified as a supernova (SNe) upon its discovery. Based on
newly emerged phenomena, such as a delayed luminous infrared outburst and the
emergence of luminous coronal emission lines, we suggest that ASASSN-18ap is
more likely a tidal disruption event (TDE) in a dusty environment, rather than
a supernova. The total energy in the infrared outburst is $\rm
3.1\times10^{51}$ erg, which is an order of magnitude higher than the total
energy in the optical-to-ultraviolet range, indicating a large dust extinction,
an extra-EUV component, or anisotropic continuum emission. A bumpy feature
appeared in the optical light curve at the start of brightening, which was
reported in a couple of TDEs very recently. This early bump may have been
overlooked in the past due to the lack of sufficient sampling of the light
curves of most TDEs during their ascending phase, and it could provide insight
into the origin of optical emission.
