a hefty tip

USAGE SUMMARY

'a hefty tip' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gratuity that is very generous or unusually high. For example, "The waiter was pleased with the generous customer who left him a hefty tip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For him, the high of scoring a hefty tip trumps the lows of serving yuppies for little pay and less respect.

Forbes

As the cabbie unloaded our carseats, we finished up the small talk, and I paid his fare (plus a hefty tip, of course).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I believe that there is a positive karma thing to keep money flowing in and around you, whether it's a heftier tip to a great server or that friend who is strapped to pay that electric bill".

The New York Times

Whatever the reason, Zagat's respondents plan to tip a hefty amount.

Los Angeles Times

At well over 700 pages, this is a hefty volume – though just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Hughes's epistolary output – and Christopher Reid deserves much praise for his judicious editing.

The Guardian - Books

Early this morning, we woke up to a thicket of tips informing us that a hefty helping of AT&T's East Coast data network had gone done.

TechCrunch

The company had suggested, for example, that tips could lead to unpleasant consequences, such as drivers who might forego pick-ups in poorer neighborhoods in favor of wealthier enclaves where they might generate heftier tips.

TechCrunch

Entry for a vehicle was a hefty $20, though that came complete with map and some tips from the woman manning the lonely entry post.

The New York Times

A hefty dinner, which includes soup or appetizer, house salad, entree and dessert, averages $33 without drinks, tax and tip.

The New York Times

(Abrams Books) It's a hefty tome, more than 300 pages and shaped like a textbook, but inside are the handy, digestible tips with the accurate, familiar illustrations.

The New York Times

A hefty offer arrived.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hefty tip" to clearly and concisely communicate the idea of a generous or significant gratuity. It is particularly effective in contexts where you want to emphasize the unexpected or appreciated nature of the tip.

Common error

Avoid using "hefty" to describe something negative or undesirable unless it is meant ironically. "Hefty" generally carries a connotation of positive abundance or impressiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hefty tip" functions as a noun phrase where "hefty" modifies the noun "tip". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English to describe a gratuity of a generous or significant amount.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hefty tip" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for describing a generous gratuity. Though relatively rare in occurrence, according to Ludwig AI, it is widely understood and contextually appropriate in a variety of situations, particularly in news and media. While direct alternatives like "a generous gratuity" or "a substantial tip" may be suitable for more formal contexts, "a hefty tip" remains a clear and effective way to communicate the idea of a significantly large gratuity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a generous gratuity

Replaces "hefty tip" with synonyms that emphasize the kindness and size of the tip.

a substantial tip

Substitutes "hefty" with "substantial" to indicate a significant amount of money given as a tip.

a large tip

Uses the simpler term "large" instead of "hefty" to convey the considerable size of the tip.

a considerable tip

Emphasizes that the tip is noteworthy and significant in amount.

a sizable tip

Replaces "hefty" with "sizable" to denote the substantial nature of the tip.

a princely tip

Implies the tip is exceptionally generous, almost royal in its magnitude.

a handsome tip

Uses "handsome" as a synonym for generous, indicating a good-sized tip.

a fat tip

An informal way of saying the tip was large and desirable.

a significant tip

Highlights the importance or impact of the tip due to its size.

a munificent tip

A more formal and less common way of saying the tip was very generous.

FAQs

What does it mean to leave "a hefty tip"?

Leaving "a hefty tip" means you are providing a gratuity that is significantly larger than average, indicating exceptional satisfaction with the service.

What can I say instead of "a hefty tip"?

You can use alternatives like "a generous gratuity", "a substantial tip", or "a large tip" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe a tip as "hefty" in formal writing?

While "hefty" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, consider using alternatives like "substantial tip" or "generous tip" for a more refined tone.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "a hefty tip"?

The phrase "a hefty tip" is best used when you want to emphasize the considerable size or unexpected nature of the gratuity, suggesting it was more than just a standard or expected amount.