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*on the tip of one's tongue

Fig. [of a thought or idea] about to be said or almost remembered. (*Typically: be ~; have something ~.) I have his name right on the tip of my tongue. I'll think of it in a second. John had the answer on the tip of his tongue, but Anne said it first.

See also: tongue

from tip to toe

Fig. from the top to the bottom. She is wearing all new clothes from tip to toe. The house needs to be cleaned thoroughly from tip to toe.

See also: toe

tip someone off (about someone or something) and tip someone off (on someone or something)

to give someone a valuable piece of news about someone or something. I tipped the cops off about Max and where he was going to be that night. I tipped off the mayor about the financial crisis.

tip someone over

to cause someone to fall. Oh! You almost tipped me over! Todd fell against Maggie and tipped her over.

tip someone with something

to pay a tip of a certain amount to someone. I tipped the headwaiter with a twenty or we would still be waiting. How much did you tip the waitress with?

tip something over

to cause something to fall over. Did you tip this chair over? Who tipped over the chair?

tip something up

to tilt something so it dumps. Jason tipped the wheelbarrow up and dumped the dirt out. He tipped up the glass, dumping the orange juice on the table.

See also: up

tip of the iceberg

Fig. only the part of something that can be easily observed, but not the rest of it, which is hidden. (Referring to the fact that the majority of an iceberg is below the surface of the water.) The problems that you see here now are just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous disasters waiting to happen.

See also: iceberg

tip one's hand

to reveal what one is going to do; to reveal one's secrets. (From card playing.) I didn't tip my hand at all. I left them guessing. They tried to get me to tip my hand.

See also: hand

tip over

to topple over and fall. Roger shook the table slightly, and the vase tipped over. The truck was overloaded and looked so heavy that I thought it would tip over.

tip the scales at something

to weigh a particular weight. Albert tips the scales at nearly 200 pounds. The champ weighed in and tipped the scales at 180.

See also: Scales

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arse over tip  (British very informal!) also arse over tit (British & Australian very informal!)

if you go arse over tip, you turn upside down with your feet above your head He put on the front brake too hard and went arse over tip over the handlebars.

See also: arse

be on the tip of your tongue

if something you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon Now what's her name again? Hang on, it's on the tip of my tongue.

See also: tongue

I take my hat off to somebody   (British, American & Australian) also I tip my hat to somebody (American)

something that you say which means that you admire and respect someone for something they have done I take my hat off to people who do voluntary work in their spare time. I tip my hat to our teachers who've raised standards in the school with very few resources.

See also: hat, take

swing/tip the balance

to make something more likely to happen, or to make someone more likely to succeed They were both well-qualified for the job but Ian had more experience and that tipped the balance. The success of this film could tip the balance in favour of other British films in the future.

See throw off balance

See also: balance, swing

the tip of the iceberg

a small part of a problem or a difficult situation which is really much larger than it seems

Usage notes: An iceberg is a very large mass of ice that floats in the sea and often it is only possible to see a small part of it.

What you saw last night was just the tip of the iceberg. The difficulties we've discussed are only the tip of the iceberg.

See also: iceberg

tip somebody the wink  (British & Australian old-fashioned)

to secretly give someone a piece of information that will help them So if you hear of any jobs going in your department, just tip me the wink, would you?

See also: wink

tip your hand  (American)

to let other people know what you are planning to do (often negative) Rumours still abound about Saling's next project but the actress has so far refused to tip her hand.

See swing the balance, I take my hat off to

See also: hand

tip the scales 

1. to make something more or less likely to happen, or to make someone more or less likely to succeed (often + against ) Recent environmental disasters have tipped the scales against oil producers. The sudden economic growth in the area should tip the scales in favour of new investment.

2. to weigh a certain amount (usually + at ) He tips the scales at just over 250 pounds.

See also: Scales

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just the tip of the iceberg

a small part of something much larger This technology is the tip of the iceberg, the very beginning of modern telecommunications. The list of thefts goes on and on, and the examples you have read about are just the tip of the iceberg.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of the tip of the iceberg (the small part of a large mass of ice floating in the sea that can be seen above water)

See also: iceberg, just

on the tip of your tongue

about to be said Her name is right on the tip of my tongue - Helen something or other, what is her last name!

See also: tongue

tip your hand also show your hand

to let other people know what you are planning to do Some people think Smith will announce today that he's quitting, but he certainly didn't tip his hand at yesterday's meeting.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of tip or show your cards (intentionally or unintentionally let others see the cards you hold in your hand in a card game)

See also: hand

tip off somebody also tip somebody off

to give information to someone Rawson tipped off the Bennetts about this great place to have lunch in Old San Juan.

Usage notes: often said about information given to the police or other authorities: Someone called the police to tip them off that the painting was in a locker at the bus station.

tip the balance

to cause a change, esp. in making something more likely to happen tip the scales One or two senators can tip the balance of power on almost any issue.

See also: balance

tip the scales

to cause a change, esp. in making something more likely to happen tip the balance She says the city's reputation helped tip the balance when the company was deciding whether to move the factory.

See also: Scales

tip the scales at something

to be measured as being a particular weight weigh in at something He's added more muscle to his frame, and now tips the scales at 268 pounds.

See also: Scales