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Glite Dictionary
to tip the wink

to tip the wink

1 9.9
To give someone a secret signal or hint
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
: dar un guiño
  • During the meeting, Sarah tipped the wink to let me know it was time to speak.

Examples

  • Before the inspector arrived, someone had tipped the wink to the factory workers.

  • Did she tip the wink about the surprise party?

  • He quietly tipped the wink to his colleague about the upcoming announcement.

  • He decided to tip the wink to his friend.

  • Before the inspector arrived, someone had tipped the wink to the factory workers.

  • During the meeting, Sarah tipped the wink to let me know it was time to speak.

  • He quietly tipped the wink to his colleague about the upcoming announcement.

Synonyms

to tip
vsto tip the wink
138 5.3

To give someone secret information to help or warn them

focuses on a brief private sign rather than sharing full information
to hint
vsto tip the wink
119 2.0

To suggest something in a quiet way without saying it directly

acts as a subtle, secret signal rather than a direct statement
to tip off
vsto tip the wink
114 6.8

Secretly tell someone important information to warn or help them

leans on a discreet gesture or hint rather than passing full information
to signal
vsto tip the wink
86 3.0

To give information to someone using a gesture or sign

uses a secret or discreet hint rather than general communication
to wink at
vsto tip the wink
37 5.6

To close one eye briefly to show playful interest

gives a private subtle sign or hint rather than a clear message
to drop a hint
vsto tip the wink
2 3.4

To suggest something in a quiet, indirect way

relies on a private signal or hint rather than an open suggestion

How Discreet

to tip the wink
  • Informal
1 9.9
to hint
119 2.0
to wink
74 1.0
gesture
134 2.3

Surface Forms

tip the wink infinitive
tipped the wink past
tipped the wink past participle
tipping the wink present participle
tips the wink third person singular

Morphology

tip + the + wink

Both constituents contribute directly: 'tip' can mean to give secret or advance information and 'wink' is a discreet visual signal, so 'tip the wink' composes naturally as 'give a discreet signal or hint.' This simple give+signal logic is cross-linguistically common and follow standard compositional patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the words would very likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

The phrase tip the wink comes from the small, secret act of giving a quick wink and a slight tip of the head or eye to signal someone quietly. So, tip the wink now means 'to give a secret signal'.