Language Research

tip · noun C

/tɪp/Full view

tip (ADVICE)

B1 a piece of useful advice

Dictionary examples:

He includes a few tips on growing vegetables.

She's given me a number of useful gardening tips.

Learner example:

Dear Julie, Sam, and Max I'm just writing to give you guys some tips about your trip to Brazil. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

tip (PAYMENT)

B1 an extra amount of money that you give to a driver, someone working in a restaurant, etc to thank them

Dictionary examples:

a 15% tip

He gave the porter a tip.

Have you left a tip for the waiter?

Learner example:

Also don't forget the tips: All the customers give tips when they pay the bill. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

tip (END)

C1 the end of something long and narrow

Dictionary examples:

the tips of your fingers

the tip of a pencil

Learner example:

The "hole" that has formed in Antarctica has become so extensive that [it] reaches the southern-most tip of the Argentinian mainland plus the entire island of Tierra del Fuego. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

be the tip of the iceberg

C2 to be a small part of a very big problem

Dictionary example:

We've corrected a few errors, but they're just the tip of the iceberg.

Learner example:

I'm not used to such behavior but that was the tip of the iceberg. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

tip · verb

/tɪp/

tip (FALL)

C2 to fall or to make something fall

Dictionary examples:

Her chair tipped over and she fell onto the floor.

He tipped his galss of juce over by accident.

Learner example:

Loud music, the drum playing all day long, the kids playing around the street tipping over trash cans and destroying the grass and gardens and a lot more. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

tip (ONE SIDE HIGHER)

C2 I or T to move so that one side is higher than the other side, or to make something move in this way

Dictionary examples:

If everyone sits on one side of the boat, it will tip over!

The boat tipped to one side as we got in.

tip sth into/onto/out of, etc., sth

C2 to make the contents of a container fall out by holding the container in a position where this happens

Dictionary example:

She tipped the contents of her purse onto the table.

tip sb off or tip off sb

C2 to warn someone secretly about something so that they can take action or prevent it happening

Dictionary example:

The robbery was planned for that night, but an anonymous caller tipped the police off.

Learner example:

Therefore, I think I should write to you and tip you off in advance. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)