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🏀 Game start 🕵️ Secret warning
tip-off

tip-off

3 4.6
The start of a basketball game when players jump for the ball
  • noun
  • /ˈtɪpˌɔf/
  • Jargon
translation icon : salto inicial
  • The players gathered at the center court for the tip-off to start the game.
  • minutes before tip-off
  • tip-off: 7:27 p.m.
  • hours before tip-off

Examples

  • The 6 p.m. fixture is part of this season's State Farm Tip-Off Classic, which also includes UK men's basketball taking on Duke two hours after tip-off in Waco.

    Blog text (17)

  • I'll see you at the tip-off.

    Rebound (2005)

  • So, even though we were a little confused on how to score, it was time for the first quarter tip-off.

    Think Like a Man Too (2014)

  • The players regrouped for the opening tip-off once more, but the court was still too wet.

    Blog text (12)

  • If you buy a subscription just minutes before tip-off, you won't be able to watch that game live.

    Blog text (17)

  • The Jaguars play again on Tuesday when they travel to Ole Miss for a 7 PM tip-off against the Rebels.

    Blog text (10)

  • The college newspaper even printed a special section in anticipation of the matchup, and a parade was held an hour before tip-off.

    Blog text (25)

  • "I thought he and Blazers point guard Damian Lillard were two of the better guys in the summer league," Rivers said about an hour before tip-off at the TD Garden.

    Blog text (2)

  • As soon as the referee blew the whistle to signal the tip-off, the excitement in the arena was palpable.

  • Fans cheered loudly as the teams lined up for the tip-off of the championship match.

Synonyms

jump ball
vstip-off
  • Specialized
3 4.1

A basketball way where the referee tosses the ball between two players who jump to tap it to a teammate

is used only to start the game not to resume play
tap-off
vstip-off
  • Jargon
7.4

The jump ball that starts a basketball game

has identical meaning but is an alternative term

Surface Forms

tip-off singular
tip-offs plural

Morphology

tip-off = tip + off (semi-transparent) = tip + off

The components 'tip' + 'off' are recognizable, but the specialized sports meaning 'the jump ball that starts a game' is a domain-specific usage not directly predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Tip-off comes from the simple idea of a light touch that starts something: the first part tip means 'to touch lightly' and off means 'start', so the tip-off in basketball is the quick touch that begins the game.