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tip off

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tip someone off (about someone or something)

 and tip someone off (on someone or something)

to give someone a valuable piece of news about someone or something. I tipped the cops off about Max and where he was going to be that night. I tipped off the mayor about the financial crisis.

See also: off, tip

tip off somebody

also tip somebody off

to give information to someone Rawson tipped off the Bennetts about this great place to have lunch in Old San Juan.

Usage notes: often said about information given to the police or other authorities: Someone called the police to tip them off that the painting was in a locker at the bus station.

See also: off, tip

tip off

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]

See also: off, tip

tip off

v.

1. To provide someone or something with a piece of confidential, advance, or inside information: A betrayed gang member tipped off the police. Someone must have tipped the press off about the company's financial troubles.

2. To begin with a jump ball. Used of a basketball game, tournament, or season: The basketball game tips off at 8:00.

See also: off, tip