tip
tip — verb
1. to move or cause something to move out of its normal upright position, often so
to move or cause something to move out of its normal upright position, often so that what is on or inside it falls out.
The cat jumped onto the table and tipped the glass over, spilling water everywhere.
separable: tip + object + over
Quinn tipped her chair too far back and nearly fell onto the floor.
Strong winds tipped the small fishing boat onto its side in the harbour.
tip + object + onto [surface]
Elena carefully tipped the box sideways so the cake would slide out in one piece.
The old wooden chair tipped over when Christopher leaned back too quickly.
intransitive: tip over
- tip over
- tip sideways
- tip forward
- tip onto its side
- right
to bring something back to an upright position after it has been tipped
- straighten
to adjust something so that it stands properly vertical again
Grammar Patterns
tip + object + over
tip + over
tip + object + adverb of direction
Usage Note
The phrasal verb 'tip over' is separable: the object can go between 'tip' and 'over' (tip the vase over) or after 'tip over' (tip over the vase). Both orders are natural.
Common Mistakes
2. to show or record a particular weight when measured on a scale — used almost exc
to show or record a particular weight when measured on a scale — used almost exclusively in the phrase 'tip the scales at'.
Reema's suitcase tipped the scales at nearly twenty-three kilograms at the airport check-in.
tip the scales at + weight
The champion boxer tipped the scales at eighty kilograms before the title fight.
The fish that Selim caught on the trip tipped the scales at over four kilograms.
At the doctor's clinic, the newborn baby tipped the scales at exactly three point two kilograms.
- tip the scales at
- weigh in at
more informal; often used for people or animals being weighed before an event
- register
more technical; used for instruments showing a measurement
Grammar Patterns
tip the scales at + weight
Usage Note
This sense is almost entirely restricted to the fixed phrase 'tip the scales at'. It cannot be used alone: you cannot say 'The suitcase tipped 23 kg'.
Common Mistakes
3. to make a substance, especially a liquid, flow out of a container by holding it
to make a substance, especially a liquid, flow out of a container by holding it at an angle so that the contents pour out through the opening.
Selim tipped the boiling water from the pot into a large ceramic bowl.
tip + object + from + into
Mayumi tipped the leftover paint out of the can onto an old newspaper.
tip + object + out of + onto
The chef tipped the pancake batter onto the hot pan in a slow, steady stream.
Nila tipped the sugar carefully into the mixing bowl so none would spill onto the counter.
tip + object + into
Lotte tipped the rainwater from her boots onto the doormat after walking home in the storm.
- tip into
- tip onto
- tip out
- tip away
Grammar Patterns
tip + object + into/onto/out of
tip + out
tip + away
Usage Note
Commonly used with direction prepositions: 'into' (for a receiving container), 'onto' (for a surface), and 'out of' (for the source). The object is usually the substance being poured, but can also be the container in informal use: 'He tipped the bucket into the sink.'
Common Mistakes
4. (of rain) to fall in very large quantities so that rainwater comes down fast and
(of rain) to fall in very large quantities so that rainwater comes down fast and heavily.
It was tipping it down all morning, so the family picnic was moved indoors.
impersonal: it is tipping it down
Rachid looked out the window and saw that it had been tipping it down all night.
They cancelled the hiking trip because the rain was really tipping it down outside.
The streets near the river flooded quickly after it started tipping it down just after lunch.
- tip it down
- tipping it down
- pour (with rain)
more common across all varieties of English; 'tip down' is specifically British and informal
- bucket down
same register and variety; interchangeable with 'tip down'
Grammar Patterns
it + is tipping (it) down
it + tipped (it) down
Usage Note
Only used with 'it' as the impersonal subject. The phrase 'tipping it down' contains a second 'it' that is part of the fixed expression and cannot be removed. Common in informal British English; American English prefers 'pouring' or 'coming down in buckets'.
Common Mistakes
5. to apply a small amount of a liquid, colour, or other material to the pointed en
to apply a small amount of a liquid, colour, or other material to the pointed end of something, either to decorate it, protect it, or change its function.
The hunter tipped his arrows with a fast-acting poison before setting out into the jungle.
tip + object + with + substance
The artist tipped her brush with bright red paint before touching the white canvas.
Ilan tipped the ends of the copper wires with a small amount of melted solder.
The walking stick was tipped with a metal cap to prevent slipping on wet ground.
passive: be tipped with [material]
- be tipped with
- tip with
- tipped in
Grammar Patterns
tip + object + with + substance
be tipped with + substance
Usage Note
The object of this verb is typically the pointed item (arrow, brush, stick), and the material used is introduced by 'with'. The passive form ('be tipped with') is very common when describing the composition or feature of an object.
Common Mistakes
6. to pay a worker, such as a waiter or a taxi driver, some additional money beyond
to pay a worker, such as a waiter or a taxi driver, some additional money beyond the normal price of the service, as a personal thank-you for their work.
Bao tipped the waiter fifteen percent of the total bill because the service was excellent.
tip + person + percentage of bill
It is common to tip taxi drivers around ten percent of the fare in big cities.
Rachid forgot to tip the hotel staff who carried his bags up to the room.
tip + person (service role)
The group decided to tip the tour guide generously because the walking tour was so informative.
In some countries people do not tip, while in others it is considered rude.
intransitive: cultural note on practice
- tip well
- tip generously
- leave a tip
- tip the waiter
- tip in cash
- give a gratuity
more formal; 'gratuity' is the formal term for a tip
Grammar Patterns
tip + person
tip + person + amount
tip + well/generously/badly
Usage Note
Can be used transitively (tip someone) or intransitively (she tips generously). The amount is often given as a percentage of the bill or as a specific sum. Tipping customs vary widely by country and culture.
Common Mistakes
7. to express the belief that a particular person, team, or thing is most likely to
to express the belief that a particular person, team, or thing is most likely to succeed, win a competition, or be chosen for an important role.
Darius is tipped to win the young musician award this year.
passive: be tipped + to-infinitive
Adaeze has been tipped as the next director of the research institute.
be tipped + as + role
Jisoo tipped Vinícius for the top scorer award before the season began.
active: tip + person + for + award
The racing newspaper tipped Ramón's horse to come first in the derby.
Several critics have tipped the film to win best picture at the festival.
- be tipped to
- be tipped as
- be tipped for
- tip somebody/something to win
Grammar Patterns
be tipped + to-infinitive
be tipped + as + noun
be tipped + for + noun
Usage Note
The passive form ('is tipped', 'has been tipped') is far more common than the active. When the active voice is used, the subject is usually a person with specialist knowledge, such as a critic, journalist, or betting expert.
Common Mistakes
8. to throw away waste materials in an area where it is not allowed, instead of usi
to throw away waste materials in an area where it is not allowed, instead of using the proper collection service.
The construction company was fined for tipping builders' waste into the river.
tip + waste + into [waterway]
Someone tipped an old sofa and several bags of rubbish behind the supermarket.
tip + large items + behind [building]
Dylan's neighbour was caught tipping garden clippings in the woodland area.
The council warned residents not to tip household waste in the park.
Sven was shocked to see that campers had tipped food boxes among the trees.
- tip rubbish
- tip waste
- tip into
- tip in
- tip behind
Grammar Patterns
tip + waste/rubbish + in/on/into + location
Usage Note
This sense is predominantly British English. In American English, the equivalent verb is 'dump'. 'Tip' in this sense always implies an unsuitable or prohibited location, not a legitimate disposal site.
Common Mistakes
9. to strike or make contact with something briefly and gently, often using a finge
to strike or make contact with something briefly and gently, often using a finger or the end of a light object.
The goalkeeper tipped the ball over the crossbar with his fingertips.
sports: tip + ball + over [sports context]
Maeve tipped her father on the shoulder to get his attention during the concert.
Vinícius tipped the glass lightly with his spoon to hear its tone.
tip + object + with [instrument]
Sari tipped the photograph gently to straighten it on the shelf.
The batter tipped the pitch foul with a quick swing of the bat.
baseball: tip + pitch + foul
- tip the ball
- tip over
- tip lightly
- tip with
- tap
the most common and neutral alternative; used in the same range of contexts
- touch
implies even less force; can be a resting contact rather than a striking motion
- strike lightly
more formal; describes the action without assuming the instrument used
Grammar Patterns
tip + object
tip + object + (over/across/into) + direction
Usage Note
Often used in sports, especially football (soccer) where a goalkeeper tips the ball away from the goal, and in baseball where a batter tips a pitch (a glancing foul ball). Outside of sports, it describes any brief, gentle physical contact usually made with a finger or small object.
Common Mistakes
tip — noun
1. a brief practical suggestion that helps you perform a task more effectively or a
a brief practical suggestion that helps you perform a task more effectively or avoid a common difficulty
Gabriela gave me some useful tips on how to save money at the supermarket.
tip + on + how to + verb — practical advice pattern
The gardening website offers simple tips for growing tomatoes in small spaces.
Pim's tip about using less salt completely changed how I season my food.
Eli asked the mechanic for tips on keeping his old car running smoothly.
tip + for + verb-ing — advice for a specific activity
The coach shared a few tips with the team before the big match started.
- useful tip
- helpful tip
- top tip
- tip on
- tip for
- share a tip
- give a tip
- offer a tip
- advice
more general and formal; tip is shorter, more practical, and often about a specific method
- hint
suggests something subtle or indirect that requires figuring out
- suggestion
a broader term that may include opinions; tips are more action-oriented
Grammar Patterns
tip + on/about + noun phrase
tip + for + verb-ing
Usage Note
Often followed by 'on', 'about', or 'for' to introduce the subject. e.g. tips on cooking, tips for students, tips about job interviews.
Common Mistakes
2. an extra amount of money that you voluntarily give to a waiter, driver, hairdres
an extra amount of money that you voluntarily give to a waiter, driver, hairdresser, or other worker who has served you, as a way of thanking them
Jenna left a ten-dollar tip on the table after finishing her meal.
leave + amount + tip — typical pattern for paying at a restaurant
Bilal gave the taxi driver a generous tip for helping with his luggage.
In some countries, a service charge replaces a voluntary tip on the bill.
voluntary tip vs service charge — cultural contrast
Tanvi always leaves a small tip for the barista who makes her morning coffee.
The restaurant split the tips equally among all the waiting staff at closing time.
- leave a tip
- generous tip
- small tip
- tip jar
- tip pool
- tip the waiter
- gratuity
more formal and often used on printed bills or official contexts
- service charge
a fixed amount added to the bill automatically, not a voluntary tip
Grammar Patterns
leave + (amount/type) + tip
give + (object) + tip
Usage Note
Commonly used with 'leave' (leave a tip) and 'give' (give someone a tip). Tips are usually optional, though expected in many service industries in certain countries.
Common Mistakes
3. the narrowest or sharpest end of something long, such as a knife blade, a pencil
the narrowest or sharpest end of something long, such as a knife blade, a pencil, a finger, or a mountain peak
Christopher cut his finger on the sharp tip of the kitchen knife.
tip + of + [object] — identifies a specific physical location
Zola wrote her address using the very tip of a freshly sharpened pencil.
The tip of the mountain was covered in thick snow even during summer.
Tendai balanced the spoon on the tip of his nose to make the children laugh.
The cat's tail has a white tip that makes it easy to spot after dark.
tip as a distinguishing mark on a body part
- tip of
- sharp tip
- tip of the knife
- tip of the pencil
- tip of the finger
- tip of the tongue
- from tip to toe
- base
the bottom or supporting part of something
Grammar Patterns
the tip + of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Almost always used with 'of' to specify which object's end is being referred to. Can refer to both naturally sharp ends (mountain peaks) and manufactured ones (pencil points).
4. a small piece made of rubber, plastic, or metal that fits over or onto the end o
a small piece made of rubber, plastic, or metal that fits over or onto the end of an object to protect it, improve grip, or change how it works
The walking stick has a rubber tip that stops it from slipping on wet floors.
rubber tip — material + tip for protective function
Élise replaced the worn plastic tip on her umbrella after the storm damaged it.
The metal tip of the arrow was carefully shaped to fly straight through the air.
Ryo bought new tips for his crutches because the old ones had worn completely flat.
replace worn tip — durability and maintenance context
- rubber tip
- metal tip
- plastic tip
- replace the tip
- fitted tip
- tip of the arrow
- tip of the cane
Grammar Patterns
[material/type] + tip
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3 (POINTED END): sense 3 refers to the natural end of an object, whereas sense 4 refers to a separate piece attached to the end. The attached piece may be blunt or rounded, not necessarily pointed.
5. a place, usually run by a local council, where members of the public can bring u
a place, usually run by a local council, where members of the public can bring unwanted household waste, furniture, or garden rubbish to be disposed of or recycled
We took the old sofa to the local tip on Saturday morning before lunch.
take + [item] + to the tip — British pattern for waste disposal
The council has closed the tip for two weeks while they repair the access road.
Christopher filled his car with garden waste and drove straight to the tip.
They separated the wood and metal before taking everything to the recycling tip.
recycling tip — environmentally-friendly disposal
- the tip
- local tip
- recycling tip
- take to the tip
- rubbish tip
- council tip
- tip run
- dump
the standard American English term; can also sound slightly ruder than 'tip'
- landfill
a large, engineered site for burying waste; more formal and technical
- rubbish dump
more general and slightly old-fashioned, used in both British and Australian English
Grammar Patterns
the + [adjective] + tip
take/drop + [item] + at/to + the tip
Usage Note
Chiefly British English. In American English, 'dump' or 'landfill' is the more common term. Can also describe a messy room or house in informal British English ('Your room is a tip!').
Common Mistakes
6. a quick, gentle touch or light hit, especially to change the direction or moveme
a quick, gentle touch or light hit, especially to change the direction or movement of a ball, or to get someone's attention without startling them
The striker got a slight tip on the ball and redirected it past the goalkeeper.
tip on the ball — redirecting a ball in sports
Jenna gave Theo a gentle tip on the shoulder to show him her phone screen.
A small tip from the defender changed the path of the ball completely.
The goalkeeper's fingertips made the slightest tip to the flying ball, sending it wide.
- slight tip
- gentle tip
- tip on the ball
- tip from
- get a tip on
- fingertip tip
Grammar Patterns
give + [object] + a tip
a tip + preposition + [object]
Usage Note
Often used in football (soccer), hockey, and basketball to describe a player slightly redirecting the ball. In everyday contexts, it describes a light physical touch used to get attention.
You feel sure you know a word or name but cannot recall it at the moment.
Mina had the actor's name on the tip of her tongue.
Is the answer on the tip of your tongue right now?
A small visible part of a much larger hidden problem.
The reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg.
Diego realized the budget issue was only the tip of the iceberg.
Word family
- tippernounB1
- tipsyadjectiveB2
- tiptoeverbB1
- untippedadjectiveC1
- tippeenounC1
- well-tippedadjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
A 'tip' is a short, practical piece of advice about how to do something specific, often based on personal experience. 'Advice' is broader and more formal — it can cover general life guidance, and unlike 'tip', it is uncountable (you cannot say 'an advice'). A 'suggestion' is even less authoritative: it is simply an idea put forward for consideration, with no expectation of expertise. A 'recommendation' carries stronger endorsement — it actively advises a particular choice, often in a professional or consumer context (a restaurant recommendation, a doctor's recommendation). A 'hint' is subtle or indirect; you have to figure out the meaning yourself rather than being told directly. For example: 'The chef gave me a tip about keeping knives sharp' (practical know-how), 'My doctor's advice was to exercise more' (general guidance), 'She made a suggestion about where to eat' (open-ended idea), 'I gave them a strong recommendation for the hotel' (endorsement), and 'He dropped a hint about my birthday gift' (indirect clue).
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'tip' has several distinct origins that converged over time. The 'pointed end' meaning (noun sense 3) traces back to late Middle English, derived from Old Norse 'typpi' (noun) and 'typpa' (verb), which are related to the word 'top'. The sense of tilting or pouring (verb senses 1-4) probably came from the same root, based on the action of making the tip of a container go down. The 'give a gratuity' meaning (verb 6, noun 2) appeared in the early 1600s, likely from the same word but extending from the idea of 'handing over' or 'passing' something (like a pointed object being passed from hand to hand). The 'light tap' sense (verb 9, noun 6) may have Scandinavian origins too, later influenced by the idea of touching something with a tip or point. The 'helpful advice' meaning (noun 1) emerged in the 1800s, originally from the practice of giving confidential information to bettors — as if handing over a small but valuable pointed piece of knowledge.