tip off

To give someone information or a warning, often secretly.

• Someone tipped off the police.
• A friend tipped me off about the sale.
• Who tipped them off that we were coming?

How to use it: tip someone off about something (A worker tipped us off about the inspection.); tip someone off that… (Someone tipped her off that the shop would close.)

Similar words: alert, warn, inform

Common phrases: tip off someone, tip off police

If a basketball game does this, it begins.

• The game tips off soon.
• The final tipped off half an hour late.
• What time does the match tip off?

How to use it: tip off at a time (The match tips off at seven.)

Similar words: begin, start

Opposites: end

Common phrases: tip off tonight, tip off at noon

To start a basketball game by throwing the ball up between two opposing players.

• The referee tipped off the game.
• She tipped off play between the two tallest players.
• He will tip off the final at noon.

Common phrases: tip off play, tip off a game

To smooth wet paint by moving the ends of a brush lightly across it.

• Tip off the paint while it is wet.
• She tipped off the final coat with a soft brush.
• Light pressure helps when tipping off a painted surface.

How to use it: tip something off with a brush (Tip the wet paint off with a clean brush.)

Similar words: smooth

Common phrases: tip off paint, tip off the surface