tipped me off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tipped me off" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common idiom that means to give someone valuable or secret information. It can be used in both formal and informal writing. Example: The anonymous caller tipped me off to a potential scandal within the company. In this sentence, "tipped me off" indicates that the anonymous caller provided important information that could potentially uncover a scandal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It tipped me off to the man's pre-university background.

The New York Times

"My mum tipped me off about it," she says.

The Guardian - Travel

Someone tipped me off, and I decided not to go back". This wasn't an easy decision.

The Guardian

It was my son who tipped me off that I sounded like a deranged warmonger.

The Times

A sudden busy signal followed by a dial tone tipped me off to a problem.

The New York Times - Tech

So I asked the student, "How did you know?" He replied, "Someone tipped me off".

The New York Times - Magazine

A visitor named Christopher tipped me off to the final challenge in hot hotels.

The New York Times - Style

Middelhoff met me at the hotel that morning and tipped me off to his bombshell.

The New York Times - Magazine

A reader tipped me off to the listing of his Atherton, Calif., estate for $25 million.

The New York Times

Sometime later, a friend tipped me off that I could get a quaint fix in Chester.

The New York Times

Obviously, that would have tipped me off; you should always look at the art.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tipped me off" when you want to convey that you received confidential or inside information, often from a specific source. It adds a sense of intrigue and implies the information was not widely known.

Common error

Avoid using "tipped me off" when the source of the information is vague or uncertain. This phrase is most effective when you can clearly identify who provided the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tipped me off" functions as an idiomatic expression, specifically a phrasal verb, indicating the act of providing someone with confidential or insider information. It is commonly used as Ludwig suggests, in narrative contexts to convey how one received specific knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tipped me off" is a common idiom used to express that someone has received confidential or private information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in both formal and informal writing. Predominantly found in news and media, this expression effectively conveys the idea of receiving a hint or secret, often implying a degree of intrigue. Alternatives such as "alerted me" or "gave me a heads-up" can be used depending on the specific context. When using "tipped me off", ensure the source of information is clear to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clued me in

Implies revealing a secret or previously unknown information.

leaked to me

Suggests that the information was shared confidentially or discreetly.

gave me the lowdown

Suggests providing detailed or insider information.

gave me a heads-up

Emphasizes providing advance notice about something.

filled me in

Implies providing missing or necessary details.

alerted me

Focuses on the act of warning or informing someone about something.

put me in the picture

Similar to "filled me in", focusing on giving someone the necessary context.

revealed to me

Focuses on the act of uncovering or disclosing something.

informed me

A more general term for providing information, without necessarily implying secrecy.

let me know

A simple way of saying someone provided information.

FAQs

How can I use "tipped me off" in a sentence?

You can use "tipped me off" to indicate that someone has given you a hint or secret. For example, "A friend "tipped me off" about the surprise party".

What does "tipped me off" mean?

"Tipped me off" means to give someone a warning or secret information about something. It suggests a discreet passing of knowledge.

What can I say instead of "tipped me off"?

You can use alternatives like "alerted me", "informed me", or "gave me a heads-up" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "tipped me off" or "tipped off me"?

"Tipped me off" is the correct form. "Tipped off me" is grammatically incorrect and not idiomatic.