tip (one) the wink

tip (one) the wink

dated To furtively provide one with a helpful piece of information; to give one a secret tip. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Tip me the wink if you see the teacher coming! Hugh said the jockey tipped him the wink about the outcome of the race, but I don't buy it.
See also: tip, wink
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tip someone the wink

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED
If you tip someone the wink, you secretly give them information that helps them. As a developer, he established relationships with estate agents who would tip him the wink ahead of private buyers when desirable properties came up for sale.
See also: someone, tip, wink
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

tip someone the wink

give someone private information; secretly warn someone of something. British informal
See also: someone, tip, wink
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

tip somebody the ˈwink

,

tip the ˈwink to somebody

(British English, informal) give somebody secret information that they can use to gain an advantage for themselves: ‘How did you know the job was available?’ ‘A friend tipped me the wink and so I telephoned immediately.’
See also: somebody, tip, wink
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • tip somebody the wink
  • tip someone the wink
  • mark (one's) card
  • mark someone's card
  • on the tip of (one's) tongue
  • on the tip of one's tongue
  • on the tip of tongue
  • on the tip of your tongue
  • tip