Tip off Meaning in English

expression

US

UK

Definition

To secretly give someone information or a warning, especially about something that will happen or about danger.

Usage & Nuances

Informal; commonly used for confidential warnings, often in police or crime stories. 'Tip-off' (noun) refers to the secret information itself. Use with prepositions: 'tip someone off about...' or 'get a tip-off.' Not to be confused with the verb 'tip' (to give a gratuity).

• Spanish: avisar - informar (de forma confidencial)
• Portuguese (BR): dar um toque - alertar (informalmente)
• Portuguese (PT): dar uma dica - alertar (informalmente)
• Chinese (Simplified): 通风报信 - 提醒
• Chinese (Traditional): 通風報信 - 提醒
• Hindi: सूचित करना (गुप्त रूप से) - खबर देना
• Arabic: إبلاغ سري - تنبيه
• Bengali: গোপনে খবর দেওয়া - সতর্ক করে দেওয়া
• Russian: навести (на информацию) - предупредить тайно
• Japanese: 密告する - 密かに知らせる
• Vietnamese: mách nước - báo tin bí mật
• Korean: (비밀을) 고자질하다 - 몰래 귀띔하다
• Turkish: gizlice uyarmak - gizlice bilgi vermek
• Urdu: خفیہ اطلاع دینا - آگاہ کرنا
• Indonesian: memberi bocoran - memberi informasi diam-diam

Example Sentences

Thank you for tipping me off about the meeting time change.

basic

An anonymous caller tipped off the journalists about the scandal.

natural

Someone tipped off the police about the robbery.

basic

Her friend tipped her off about the surprise party.

basic

I wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t tipped me off.

natural

If you ever hear anything important, just tip me off.

natural