tip

Everyday

1. The tip of something is its pointed or thin end, like the tip of your finger or a pencil. tree →
2. A tip is a small piece of useful advice. tree →
3. A tip is extra money you give someone, like a waiter, to thank them for their service. tree →
4. To tip something means to tilt it so it leans or falls over, or to pour something out by tilting. tree →
5. In the UK, a tip is a place where rubbish is taken, or a very messy place. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life you «tip» a waiter or hairdresser in the USA, Canada and Australia, and a «tip» can mean helpful advice: «top tips for revision». In safety, a heavy bookcase can tip over, so it should be fixed to the wall, and a chair tipped back can fall. In maths, tips are often a percentage of the bill (a 10% tip). In science, the tip of an iceberg is the small part above water. Phrases: «on the tip of my tongue» (almost remembered), «tip off» (warn secretly).

Examples

• Touch the paper with the tip of your pencil. tree →
• Here's a tip: read the question twice. tree →
• Mum left a tip for the waiter. tree →
• Don't tip your chair back or you'll fall. tree →
• She tipped the water out of the bucket. tree →
• His bedroom is a total tip! tree →
• The name is on the tip of my tongue. tree →
• A 10% tip on a $20 bill is $2. tree →
• There was magic in the tips of her fingers. tree →

Note

Countable: a tip, tips. Past «tipped», «tipping» (double p). «Tip over» = fall or knock over. In maths, a tip is added to the bill: total = bill + tip. «Tip» (advice) and «hint» are close; a hint helps you guess. Using «tip» for a rubbish dump is British/Australian.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life you «tip» a waiter or hairdresser in the USA, Canada and Australia, and a «tip» can mean helpful advice: «top tips for revision». In safety, a heavy bookcase can tip over, so it should be fixed to the wall, and a chair tipped back can fall. In maths, tips are often a percentage of the bill (a 10% tip). In science, the tip of an iceberg is the small part above water. Phrases: «on the tip of my tongue» (almost remembered), «tip off» (warn secretly).

Examples

• And when it was slain, Moses took of the blood thereof, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot. (Torah LEV.8.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• Dalet-Tet-Lamed-Nun-Taw, with the tip of the tongue, serving with voice. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Countable: a tip, tips. Past «tipped», «tipping» (double p). «Tip over» = fall or knock over. In maths, a tip is added to the bill: total = bill + tip. «Tip» (advice) and «hint» are close; a hint helps you guess. Using «tip» for a rubbish dump is British/Australian.