Definition of "tip off"

tip off

verb
third-person singular simple present tips off, present participle tipping off, simple past and past participle tipped off
1. (idiomatic, transitive) To alert or inform (someone), especially confidentially.
2. (basketball) To put the ball in play by throwing it up between two opponents.
  1. (of a sports match) To begin.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To pour out (liquor); to tip the vessel and drink until it is empty.
4. (transitive and intransitive, painting) To use a particular brush technique for producing a flawless surface on a wet coat of paint.