tip off
English
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Verb
tip off (third-person singular simple present tips off, present participle tipping off, simple past and past participle tipped off)
- (idiomatic, transitive) To alert or inform someone, especially confidentially.
- An anonymous caller tipped off the police that the suspect would be in the area.
- (basketball) To put the ball in play by throwing it up between two opponents.
- (of a sports match) To begin.
- The game tips off in an hour, so hurry back!
- (of a sports match) To begin.
- (transitive, obsolete) To pour out (liquor); to tip the vessel and drink until it is empty.
- (transitive and intransitive, painting) To use a particular brush technique for producing a flawless surface on a wet coat of paint.
Synonyms
- (to alert or inform someone): inform, grass up, snitch; See also Thesaurus:rat out
- (to use a painting technique): lay off