tipoff

noun Basketball.

1. a jump ball that begins each period.

noun Informal.

1. the act of tipping off.
2. a hint or warning: They got a tip-off on the raid.

noun

1. a warning or hint, esp given confidentially and based on inside information
2. basketball the act or an instance of putting the ball in play by a jump ball

verb tip off

3. (tr, adverb) to give a hint or warning to