1 B1 neutral
To empty a container by tilting or turning it so the contents fall out.
"She tipped out her handbag onto the table, searching frantically for her keys."
separable
tip out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To empty a container by tilting or inverting it so the contents fall out.
In plain English
To turn something over or to the side so everything inside falls out.
What does "tip out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
(North American, restaurant industry) To share a portion of one's tips with other members of staff.
"As a waiter, I have to tip out the bartender and the food runners at the end of each shift."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To tip a container so that what is inside comes out.
Actually means
To turn something over or to the side so everything inside falls out.
Usage tip
Also used in North American English (especially restaurant industry) to mean sharing tips from customers among staff members: 'to tip out the kitchen staff'. Both senses are in common use.
Words that pair with "tip out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bag bucket purse tray contents coins
How to conjugate "tip out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tip out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tips out
he/she/it
Past simple
tiped out
yesterday
Past participle
tiped out
have + pp
-ing form
tiping out
continuous
Hear "tip out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tip out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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