tip*/

[tɪp] noun I

1) [C] a narrow or pointed end, especially of something long or thin

the tip of your nose/finger[/ex]

The village is on the southern tip of the island.[/ex]

2) [C] an amount of money that you give to someone in addition to the price of a service

Shall we leave a tip for the waiter?[/ex]

3) [C] a useful suggestion or piece of information that someone gives you

The booklet gives some good tips on getting the most out of your software.[/ex]

4) [C] British

a place where you take rubbish and leave it

Syn:

dump

5) [singular] British

informal a very dirty or untidy place

•

on the tip of your tongue — if a word, name etc is on the tip of your tongue, you know it but cannot remember it at the time you are speaking[/ex]

the tip of the iceberg — a bad situation that shows that a much more serious problem exists[/ex]

The recent riots are just the tip of the iceberg.[/ex]

II

verb

tip [tɪp]

1) [T] to pour something from a container

She tipped the sand out of her bucket.[/ex]

2) [I/T] to move into a position that is at an angle rather than upright, or to put something into a position like this

He tipped his chair back and looked at me.[/ex]

3) [I/T] to give someone an amount of money in addition to what you owe for a service

Don't forget to tip the driver.[/ex]

4) [T] to say who you think will get a particular job or be successful at something

She is being tipped to take over from the managing director when he retires.[/ex]

•

tip the balance / scales — to give someone or something an advantage, so that they get or achieve something[/ex]

- tip sb off

- tip (sth) over