See tip somebody ↔ off for more
tip-off
ˈtip-off
noun [countable]
1. informal a secret warning or piece of information, especially one given to the police about illegal activities:
The arrests came after a tip-off from a member of the public.
2. American English informal something that shows you that something is true, even though you did not expect it to be true:
The fact that he hasn’t called should be a tip-off that he’s not interested.
3. the beginning of a basketball game, when the ball is thrown into the air and two players jump up to try to gain control of it
▪ warning something that you say or do to tell people about danger, or to tell them not to do something: All cigarette packets carry a government health warning. | She ignored her parents' warnings. | The army issued a warning that anyone who was out on the streets after dark was likely to be shot.
▪caution formal an official warning or a piece of advice telling you to be careful: Caution: do not install electrical equipment near or around water sources. | The video begins with a caution that you must do some warm-up exercises first.
▪tip-off informal a warning that someone is about to do something, especially one given to the police about a crime: Police were called to the hotel after a tip-off.
▪alert a warning to be ready for possible danger that may happen soon: Twelve flood alerts have been issued to areas along the River Severn. | a fire alert | The ambulance services were on red alert (=they were ready to take action immediately).
▪advisory formal an official warning or notice that gives information about a dangerous situation: The air pollution gets so bad on some days that health advisories are posted at park entrances.
▪caveat formal a warning that something may not be completely true, effective etc. Also used when pointing out that it is important to remember something: The woman was offered treatment, but with the caveat that it had only a 30% chance of success. | One caveat is that you must take the goods back to the shop within 14 days. | There is one important caveat to this argument.
ˈtip-off
noun [countable]1. informal a secret warning or piece of information, especially one given to the police about illegal activities:
2. American English informal something that shows you that something is true, even though you did not expect it to be true:
3. the beginning of a basketball game, when the ball is thrown into the air and two players jump up to try to gain control of it
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