tip (one) the wink

tip (one) the wink

dated To furtively provide one with a helpful piece of information; to give one a secret tip. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Tip me the wink if you see the teacher coming! Hugh said the jockey tipped him the wink about the outcome of the race, but I don't buy it.See also: tip, wink

tip someone the wink

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONEDIf you tip someone the wink, you secretly give them information that helps them. As a developer, he established relationships with estate agents who would tip him the wink ahead of private buyers when desirable properties came up for sale.See also: someone, tip, wink

tip someone the wink

give someone private information; secretly warn someone of something. British informalSee also: someone, tip, wink

tip somebody the ˈwink

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tip the ˈwink to somebody

(British English, informal) give somebody secret information that they can use to gain an advantage for themselves: ‘How did you know the job was available?’ ‘A friend tipped me the wink and so I telephoned immediately.’See also: somebody, tip, wink