tip-off

American  

[tip-awf, -of] / ˈtɪpˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Informal.

1. the act of tipping off.

2. a hint or warning.

   They got a tip-off on the raid.

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tip-off British  

noun

1. a warning or hint, esp given confidentially and based on inside information

2. basketball the act or an instance of putting the ball in play by a jump ball

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verb

1. (tr, adverb) to give a hint or warning to

tip off Idioms  

1. Supply with secret or private information; also, warn or alert. For example, The broker often tipped her off about stocks about to go down in price, or Somehow they were tipped off and left the country before the police could catch them. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of tip-off

First recorded in 1910–15; noun use of verb phrase tip off

Example Sentences

The Spurs had raced to a 12-point lead from tip-off.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

Following a tip-off, Noble headed to the police station in the historic market town of Aylsham, more than an hour's drive from Andrew's home.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

All-City forward Araceli Gonzalez, one of nine Granada Hills seniors honored before tip-off, scored 14 of her team’s first 21 points but was held to four points in the second half.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

When Conteh received a tip-off that a large number of young people were being held in a location in Makeni, Musa joined the police as they raided the property, hoping to find his children.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026

He walked to the center tip-off circle and dribbled the ball four times.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty