tip someone 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. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

tip someone the wink

give someone private information; secretly warn someone of something. British informal

See also: someone, tip, wink

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017