tip */*/

I UK [tɪp] / US noun
Word forms "tip":
singular tip plural tips

1)

a) [countable] a narrow or pointed end, especially of something long or thin

tip of:

the tip of your nose/finger

the southern tip of the island

b) a piece that has been fixed to the narrow or pointed end of something

There was a rubber tip on the end of her stick.

2) [countable] a small amount of money that you give to someone in addition to what you owe for a service

leave/give a tip:

Shall we leave a tip for the waiter?

get a tip:

When I first started driving a taxi I didn't get very good tips.

3)

a) [countable] a useful suggestion

tip on:

The booklet gives some good tips on getting the most out of your software.

b) a piece of special or secret information

tip on:

I've got a good tip on a horse in the Derby.

give someone a tip:

The police were given a tip on where they might find the killer.

a hot tip (= a very good one):

Occasionally my stockbroker comes up with a hot tip for me.

4) [countable] British a place where you take rubbish and leave it

5) [singular] British informal a dirty or untidy place

Sorry, the flat's a real tip at the moment.

•

(just) the tip of the iceberg — a problem or difficult situation that shows that a much more serious problem exists

The recent riots are just the tip of the iceberg.

- on the tip of your tongue

II UK [tɪp] / US verb
Word forms "tip":
present tense I/you/we/they tip he/she/it tips present participle tipping past tense tipped past participle tipped

1) tip or tip over

[intransitive/transitive] to fall, or to make something fall

The cart came round the corner too fast and tipped onto its side.

He tipped the table on top of them and ran out of the restaurant.

2) [transitive] to pour something from one place or container into another

tip something into/onto etc something:

He tipped the juice into our glasses.

She tipped the sand out of her bucket.

3)

a) [transitive] to put something into a position that is at an angle rather than upright

The dog tipped her head to one side.

He tipped his chair back and looked at me.

b) [intransitive] to move into a position that is at an angle

4) [intransitive/transitive] to give someone a small amount of money in addition to what you owe for a service

Don't forget to tip the driver.

I usually tip 15%.

5) [transitive, usually passive] to say who you think will get a particular job or be successful at something

tip someone/something to do something:

He is tipped to take over from the current chairman.

6) [intransitive/transitive] British to take rubbish somewhere and leave it there

7) [transitive] to hit something very gently

His bat just tipped the ball.

•

it is tipping (it) down — British

informal it is raining a lot

tip the balance/scales — to give someone or something enough of an advantage to influence a result or decision

Her youth and competitiveness tipped the balance in her favour.

tip someone over the edge/brink — to make someone feel so unhappy that they cannot deal with their life or a situation any longer

Losing the business was what finally tipped him over the edge.

tip the scales at 12 stone/200 pounds etc — informal to weigh a particular amount

The defending champion tips the scales at 18 stone 6.

- be tipped with something

- tip your hat

- tip your hat to someone

- tip someone the wink

Phrasal verbs:

- tip off

- tip over

- tip up