tip-off

tip-off

1. An act or instance of giving one secret, private, or insider information or news, especially that which gives them or someone else an advantage of some kind. Thanks to an anonymous tip-off, police were able to blow the lid off the smuggling ring.
2. The start of a basketball game, which is begun with a jump ball ("the tip"). Yeah, I'd love to watch the game. What time is tip-off?
3. By extension, the start of some event. The convention runs all weekend. Tip-off is on Friday at 4.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tip-off

n. a clue; an indication. The tip-off was when the dog started wagging his tail. We knew you were hiding somewhere close.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • tip off about (something)
  • tip off on (something)
  • tip off
  • phishing attack
  • laugh
  • a laugh
  • instance
  • head
  • flamage
  • at the instance of
References in periodicals archive
Meanwhile, Westridge police acting on a tip-off conducted a raid near Darbar Shah Payara in its jurisdiction and rounded up five suspected dacoits namely Waseem, Javed, Sohail, Furqan and Amir and recovered two pistols 30 bore with three rounds.
Mr Dugan said the department had received more than 5,000 tip-offs, and thanked those who called in the information that led to Donaldson's arrest.
Prior to the senior men's season opener, the U18s take on Cheshire Phoenix II (tip-off 2.30pm), while the U16 Reds travel to Lancs Spinners Bury.
For instance the fact, confirmed by the police, that a policeman had called the prospective contract killer, instead of Serbian Interpol about the tip-off the latter had passed on, was described as 'major gaffe' by the media.
Police carried out an investigation and reached to owner of a car that the person who made the tip-off gave the license number.
West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit (WMCTU) is now leading an investigation into the tip-off.
Officers and staff with West Midlands Police were called in to special briefings by their bosses on Monday night and security measures stepped up after the force received an anonymous tip-off.
Bosses at West Midlands Police called their officers and staff in to special briefings overnight and security measures were stepped up after the force received an anonymous tip-off.
The woman was arrested on February 23 by the Jebel Ali Police after a tip-off that she possessed and took drugs.
In a bid to bring down shrinkage in its stores, the retailer group introduced an anonymous tip-off line for the public and all its stakeholders.
And it is understood he was involved in a tip-off about a home-made rocket that led to the arrest of four men in Derry's Creggan housing estate last December.
It was a successful operation for Brighouse police, which followed a tip-off from the public.
Canby 66, South Eugene 61: The Cougars were led by Taylor Lee's 14 points, Rachel Erbe's 12 points and Skylee Doman added 10 points to win the title at the Connor Ausland Memorial Tip-Off.
Worcester State 73, Becker 30: Cheyenne Jennings led all players with 16 points and Veronica Norman came off the bench to score 12 and grab seven rebounds as the Lancers (1-1) cruised in the opening game of the 31st Worcester City Tip-Off Tournament hosted by the Hawks (0-1).
Officers from Dubai Police's anti-narcotics wing arrested A.A.M., a GCC national, on August 18 following a tip-off about his illegal activities.