tip (one's) hand
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tip (one's) hand
To reveal one's intentions, plans, secrets, or resources. An allusion to letting someone else see the cards one is currently holding (one's "hand"). The foreign leader has definitely tipped his hand when it comes to his country's position in the negotiations. Remember not to tip your hand when you go into the meeting.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
tip one's hand
Accidentally reveal one's intentions, as in He avoided any comments on birthdays for fear of tipping his hand about the surprise party . This idiom probably alludes to holding one's hand in such a way that others can see the cards one is holding. [Colloquial; early 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
tip your hand (or mitt)
reveal your intentions inadvertently. US informalThis expression is the opposite of keep your cards close to your chest (see card).
1966 Martin Woodhouse Tree Frog We couldn't very well oppose it without tipping our hand.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
tip one’s hand
tv. 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.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
tip (one's) hand
To reveal one's resources or intentions.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.