Definition

Noun: 1. A piece of confidential or advance information, especially one given discreetly or secretly: Information that alerts someone to something that is about to happen, often allowing them to prepare or act. 2. The act of starting a basketball game: The initial jump ball that begins a basketball game.

Usage and Examples

• As confidential information:
  • The police acted on a tip-off from an informant.
  • We had a tip-off that the company was about to be sold.
• As the start of a basketball game:
  • The center prepared for the tip-off.
  • The game will begin with the tip-off at 7 p.m.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Journalistic/Legal Context: Often used in contexts involving police, journalism, or finance where secret information is passed.
  • The investigation was launched following an anonymous tip-off.
• Basketball Context: A formal, specific term used in the rules and commentary of the sport.
  • He won the tip-off, giving his team the first possession.

Variants and Related Words

• To tip off (phrasal verb): The action of giving confidential information.
  • Someone tipped off the reporters about the scandal.
• Tipster (noun): A person who provides a tip-off.
  • The anonymous tipster claimed to have inside knowledge.

Synonyms

• Heads-up: Informal warning or advance notice.
• Warning: A statement or event that indicates a possible danger or problem.
• Alert: A warning of imminent danger or a call to be ready.
• Jump ball (for the basketball meaning): The specific term for the action that constitutes the tip-off.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Act on a tip-off: To take action based on received confidential information.
  • Officers acted on a tip-off and raided the warehouse.
• Receive a tip-off: To be given confidential information.
  • The journalist received a tip-off about the political story.

Notes on Meaning

The two meanings are distinct and context-dependent. The "confidential information" meaning is far more common in general use, while the "basketball start" meaning is specific to the sport. The word often implies that the information is not publicly known and comes from a source with privileged access.

Noun

1. the act of starting a basketball game with a jump ball
2. inside information that something is going to happen