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Glite Dictionary
hat tip

hat tip

4 6.0
A short public thank you or recognition given to someone, often in writing
  • noun
  • /hæt tɪp/
translation icon : reconocimiento
  • I want to give a big hat tip to everyone who helped make this event possible.

I have some visuals in the book, you'll see them in a second, some blueprints and a hat tip to classic mystery novels.

Examples

  • " My thanks to all who have posted, and a big hat tip to Anthony for providing the site.

    Blog text (15)

  • Here is more, with hat tip to Michael.

    Blog text (9)

  • Should I "via" you, or hat tip, or otherwise credit back?

    Blog text (28)

  • And Bill gives a hat tip to his "brilliant" viewers.

    Blog text (13)

  • Often I'll do this as a hat tip to tradition or as a pure matter of convenience.

    Blog text (2)

  • Thanks much, Maurene, for the hat tip and for the heads up!

    Blog text (18)

  • Thanks for posting this extremely complete test, and a hat tip to Urban Velo for linking it.

    Blog text (18)

  • I have to give a hat tip to Rick Walsh and his blog for finding and posting this.

    Blog text (25)

  • Dedicated experts are helping brands find their way; hat tip to socialmedia.org and Andy Sernovitz.

    Blog text (30)

  • As for UCLA, a hat tip to Johnathan Franklin, who became the Bruins' all-time rushing leader.

    Blog text (26)

Synonyms

thanks
vshat tip
∞ 1.0

Words you say or write to show you are grateful

is often used as an act in writing or speech specifically
thank you
vshat tip
∞ 1.0

A polite phrase people say to show they feel grateful

is a broader act of acknowledgment beyond that single phrase
credit
vshat tip
829 2.4

Praise or public recognition for something someone did

focuses on brief mention of respect rather than formal official recognition
shout-out
vshat tip
  • Texting
37 6.3

A public word of thanks and praise often said during an event or online

is more general and not necessarily public or broadcasted
acknowledgment
vshat tip
  • US
11 3.7

A short sign that shows you notice or thank someone

focuses on written or spoken mention rather than general recognition
hats off
vshat tip
  • Informal
6 7.2

To show respect or praise for someone's achievement

is used broadly in writing or speech rather than as that idiom
tip of the hat
vshat tip
2 6.9

A small act that shows respect or thanks

is used especially in writing or speech rather than a physical act
token of appreciation
vshat tip
1 3.1

A small gift or simple act to show thanks

expresses appreciation as an act or words rather than a physical gift

How Respectful

tribute
206 4.5
to salute
  • Formal
106 3.5
hat tip
4 6.0
to nod
442 1.0
to mention
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

hat tip singular
hat tips plural

Morphology

hat + tip

The phrase derives from the gesture of 'tipping one's hat' so there is a transparent link between 'hat' and the action 'tip' (tilt) that signals acknowledgement, but the noun 'tip' in the supplied sense (a hint) does not by itself yield the idiomatic meaning. A B1 learner who knows the verb sense 'to tip (one's hat)' or the cultural gesture could infer the meaning, but learners who only know 'tip' as a hint or gratuity are unlikely to predict the expression without prior exposure.

Etymology

The noun hat tip may come from the old gesture of briefly tipping your hat or giving a quick tip of the hat to show respect or thanks. So today a hat tip means a short 'acknowledgment' or 'thank you', often given in writing or speech.