acting on a tip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acting on a tip" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to taking action based on information or advice received, often in contexts like law enforcement or investigations. Example: "The police were acting on a tip when they raided the suspect's house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Police cordoned off the area around the house where he was hiding after acting on a tip.

The New York Times

The unit was acting on a tip from an informant who said someone living there was hiding antitank mines for an insurgents' cell.

The New York Times

The raid happened in the predawn hours of Sept. 11, when American forces acting on a tip surrounded some tents six miles from the Syrian border.

The New York Times

On July 11 , 1998 Houston Police Department officers acting on a tip regarding drug related activities entered a Gulfton apartment complex and shot and killed Pedro Oregon Navarro.

Wikipedia

In 1969, acting on a tip, Hersh interviewed U.S. Army Lieut.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The F.B.I., acting on a tip last March, dug up Mr. Kobozev's body.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

He was arrested in Folkestone by Kent Police at about 04:20 GMT on Sunday by officers acting on a tip-off from the public.

BBC

He was living with a friend when, acting on a tip-off, the police arrested him.

The Economist

Police, acting on a tip-off from other family members, found the corpse in Bright's home on Detroit's east side.

Independent

The "protocols" languished in Moscow's archives until 2008, when, acting on a tip-off, Mr Hellbeck was able to gain access to 10,000 pages of them.

Independent

Officers acting on a tip-off searched the man's laptop and allegedly found Islamic State propaganda and other jihadi literature, the Indian Express reported.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the source and reliability of the tip. Mentioning the source, if appropriate, can add credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming the "tip" automatically leads to a guaranteed outcome. The tip is merely the starting point for investigation or action, not a guarantee of success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acting on a tip" functions as a verbal phrase that describes an action taken as a direct result of receiving information. It often introduces the reason or motivation behind an action, particularly in contexts involving investigations or law enforcement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acting on a tip" is a versatile expression used to describe actions taken based on received information, often in investigative contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in various writing styles. It commonly appears in news and media, with less frequent use in academic or highly formal settings.

When incorporating "acting on a tip" into your writing, ensure clarity by specifying who is acting and the nature of the tip. Remember that a tip is merely a starting point, and its reliability should be considered. Alternatives such as "following a lead" or "responding to intelligence" may offer nuanced meanings depending on the situation. Understanding these aspects will enhance your writing and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a lead

Focuses on the investigative aspect, implying a trail is being pursued based on the information.

as a result of a lead

Similar to "following a lead", but more explicitly stating the causal relationship.

responding to intelligence

Emphasizes that the action is based on gathered intelligence, suggesting a more formal or strategic context.

prompted by inside information

Highlights that the tip came from someone with access to non-public details.

pursuing information

Highlights the act of actively seeking to validate data, it's broader, less specific than "acting on a tip".

based on information received

A formal and generic way to state that the action is a direct result of receiving specific information.

on the basis of a clue

Implies a less direct or certain piece of information, emphasizing the initial stage of investigation.

taking action on advice

Frames the "tip" as advice, implying a more personal or guidance-oriented context.

reacting to a hint

Suggests a more subtle or indirect form of information that spurred the action.

acting on a suspicion

Indicates that the initial information was less concrete, based more on intuition or conjecture.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "acting on a tip"?

You can rephrase "acting on a tip" using alternatives like "following a lead", "responding to intelligence", or "pursuing information" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean to say someone is "acting on a tip"?

When someone is "acting on a tip", it means they are taking action or initiating an investigation based on information or advice they have received, often from an informant or anonymous source.

Is there a difference between "acting on a tip" and "acting on a hunch"?

"Acting on a tip" implies there is some concrete information, however vague or unconfirmed, that prompted the action. "Acting on a hunch" implies relying more on intuition or a feeling without specific evidence.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "acting on a tip"?

It's appropriate to use the phrase "acting on a tip" when you want to convey that an action was initiated because of specific information that was received. This is common in journalistic writing, law enforcement reports, or investigative narratives.