tip line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tip line" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a phone line or service where people can provide tips or information, often related to crime or safety. An example: "Please call the tip line if you have any information about the incident." Alternative expressions include "hotline" and "report line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

On Oct. 21, a full moon, crank calls to the tip line spiked.

The New York Times

Police Department posters were put up asking anyone with information to call the department's tip line.

The New York Times

Attached to the gravestone was a tag with the number of a police tip line.

The New Yorker

He also said the police had fielded at least 160 calls on an arson tip line.

The New York Times

Here's the bad part — that was the bargain tip line, O.K.? It's $4.50 around the corner.

The New York Times

Please contact our tip line at 1-855-744-3879 winformationormatinformation

The Washington Post

Then, in 2006, Mr. Davis's wife, Becki, called the Austin Police Department's tip line.

The New York Times

A new anonymous tip line and Web site were inaugurated recently.

The New York Times

She started an anonymous text tip line and got in-car computers and BlackBerrys for officers.

The New York Times

On Friday, the day of the last killing, the tip line received almost 2,000 calls, officials said.

The New York Times

Anyone with information is asked to call a citizens crime commission tip line at (215) 546-TIPS.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use a descriptive adjective before the phrase if the line is for a specific purpose, such as an "arson tip line" or a "text-in tip line".

Common error

Do not confuse a "tip line" with a customer service line or a general help desk. A "tip line" is strictly for reporting information or evidence regarding a specific event or ongoing investigation.

Linguistic Context

As a compound noun, "tip line" acts as the object or subject of a sentence to identify a dedicated communication channel. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used to describe resources provided by law enforcement agencies or investigative journalism outlets.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Legal & Investigative

10%

Science & Mechanics

5%

Less common in

Customer Service

2%

Social Media

3%

General Casual Conversation

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tip line" is a highly effective and standard term in English used to describe a dedicated channel for reporting information. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in criminal investigations, journalism and even niche scientific fields. Whether referring to a phone number for the FBI or a text-based service for schools, the phrase remains a staple of clear communication. Users should ensure they distinguish it from general support lines, as the term strongly implies an investigative or reporting function.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anonymous tip line

specifically emphasizes that the identity of the caller will be protected

hotline

implies a broader range of immediate assistance or crisis support rather than just information gathering

hot line

an alternative spelling that functions identically but is less common in modern journalism

confidential reporting line

adds a formal layer of security and trust to the reporting process

crimeline

a specific branding often used by community-led crime prevention programs

whistleblower line

narrowly focused on reporting internal misconduct or illegal activity within an organization

tip-off service

more common in British English to describe the act of giving information to police or press

reporting channel

used more frequently in corporate or organizational compliance contexts

witness line

implies that the caller has direct firsthand knowledge of an event

information line

less focused on crime and more focused on general data collection

FAQs

How to use "tip line" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a reporting method, such as: "Police are urging anyone with information to call the "tip line" immediately."

What can I say instead of "tip line"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "hotline", "anonymous reporting line" or "whistleblower line".

Is "tip line" one word or two?

It is almost always written as two separate words, "tip line", although you may occasionally see it hyphenated as a compound modifier before a noun.

What's the difference between a "tip line" and a "hotline"?

A "tip line" is usually for passive information gathering, while a "hotline" often implies a two-way service for immediate help, such as a crisis or suicide prevention service.