transitive. slang. To ‘give the office’ to (someone), to signal; to give private notice of (something). See office, n. 11. Now rare.

slang. A hint, signal, or private intimation; esp. in to give (or take) the office.

To give a ‘tip’ to; to furnish (a person) with private information as to the chances of some event; to warn, alert, or inform (a person); to make…