noun

tipoff

tip-off, warning, hint

The police acted on an anonymous tipoff.

The police acted on an anonymous tip-off.

a tip-off ((about/on sth.)) a secret warning about something The police received a tip-off about the robbery.

Synonyms: lead, hint, clue, warning

From the phrasal verb 'tip off', meaning to give secret information. 'Tip' (give a hint) + 'off' (away, secretly).

Imagine someone secretly 'tipping' their hat 'off' to you as a signal or a secret hint.

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