Meaning
The phrasal verb “tip off” means to secretly give someone information, usually as a warning or advance notice about something. It often implies confidential or inside information.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Phrasal verb
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Verb type: Transitive (requires an object)
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Typical structure:
- tip sb off (about sth)
- be tipped off (that …)
Example: The police were tipped off about the robbery.
Common Phrases
- tip someone off – warn or inform secretly.
- get tipped off – receive secret information.
- anonymous tip-off – an information or warning given secretly, often to authorities.
Collocations
- tip off the police
- anonymous tip-off
- tip off a journalist
- tip off authorities
Examples
- Someone tipped the police off about the planned robbery.
- She was tipped off that her boss was planning to resign.
- The reporter was tipped off by an anonymous source.
- They were tipped off in advance and managed to escape.
- He tipped me off about the surprise inspection.
- The authorities acted on a tip-off and arrested the suspects.
- A friend tipped her off that her wallet had been stolen.
Synonyms or Related
- warn
- alert
- inform secretly
- leak information
Antonym
- withhold information
- keep secret
- conceal