tip one's hand

idiom

The phrase "tip one's hand" originates from card games, where showing one's cards can reveal their strategy. It is now commonly used to describe any situation where someone unintentionally discloses hidden information.

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Definition

B2General

(informal)To unintentionally reveal plans, intentions, or secrets.

Example

By mentioning the surprise party, she tipped her hand and ruined the surprise.
He tipped his hand during the meeting, showing his true intentions.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "tip one's hand":

tip one's hat overplay one's hand breast one's cards tip off tip over chest one's cards tip the gaff blow the gaff tip back blow someone's cover tip out hole card deal a hand hat tip tip the scale expose oneself tell on show one's claws