tipoff
Hint from informant
A tipoff is advance warning or secret information, especially about something illicit: Police received a tipoff about the drug shipment.
The word also names the opening play in basketball, when the referee tosses the ball and players jump to tap it to teammates.
As a verb (tip off), it means to give such warning: Someone tipped off the press.
Warning or watchfulness
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- hintIndirect suggestion
- clueSolving aid
- indicationSign of what's coming
giveaway · telltale · sign · heads-up · forewarning · pointer · lead · intel
Insider who reports misconduct
- snitchOne who tells authorities
- informerOne who reveals secrets
- ratRodent or informer
- leakEscape through a breach
source · mole · spy · nark · squealer · fink · stoolie · tattletale
Shrill air-blown sounder
- refereeSports rule enforcer
- openingGap or start
- playoffsChampionship elimination series
- dribbleLeak in drops
slamdunk · three-pointer · rebound · assist · turnover · fastbreak · alley-oop · backboard
Facts supporting truth
- stingSharp wound from insect
- raidSudden armed incursion
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
fraud · bribery · embezzlement · conspiracy · arrest · warrant · indictment · prosecution
alert
Warning or watchfulness
indication · giveaway · telltale · sign · heads-up · forewarning · pointer · lead · intel
whistleblower
Insider who reports misconduct
leak · source · mole · spy · nark · squealer · fink · stoolie · tattletale · turncoat
whistle
Shrill air-blown sounder
dribble · slamdunk · three-pointer · rebound · assist · turnover · fastbreak · alley-oop · backboard · basketball
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- stingSharp wound from insect
- raidSudden armed incursion
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
corruption · fraud · bribery · embezzlement · conspiracy · arrest · warrant · indictment · prosecution · investigation
- cluesclue, clues, hint, hints, cue
- game beginningsearly game, first quarter, first period, first set, early innings
- game startskickoff, face-off, puck drop, jump ball, starting gun
- hintshint, clue, tip, nudge, cue
- Manhuntfugitive, manhunt, wanted poster, most wanted, pursuit
- crime investigationdetective, whodunit, investigation, detectives, investigator
tipoffconcealment
Act of hiding something
cover-up · silence · secrecy · suppression · withholding
tipofffinal whistle
Signal ending a match
conclusion · buzzer · finish · endgame · game over
tipoffambush
Surprise strike from concealment
surprise · blindside · ignorance · obliviousness · cluelessness