tip (redirected from tips the wink)

arse over tip (British, very informal!, 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, over

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 someone (British, American & Australian, 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 also: balance, swing

tip your hand (American)

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

See also: hand

the tip of the iceberg

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

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

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

See also: Scales

tip someone 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

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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

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 someone

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. 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. 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. He's added more muscle to his frame, and now tips the scales at 268 pounds.

See also: Scales