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Meaning & use

tip of the spear

phrase·Advancedfigurative

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UK/ˌtɪp əv ðə ˈspɪə/
US/ˌtɪp əv ðə ˈspɪr/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiomfigurative

    The front-line group or person that leads an attack or major effort and meets the first and greatest challenges.

    Grammar: Used with 'the': the tip of the spear; often 'be the tip of the spear in something'.

    Patterns

    • be the tip of the spear
    • the tip of the spear in something

    Our sales team is the tip of the spear in entering new markets.

    Nurses were the tip of the spear in the fight against the outbreak.

    The special unit served as the tip of the spear during the invasion.

  2. phraseidiomfigurative

    The most advanced or innovative part of a field, leading the way for others.

    Grammar: Often with 'at': at the tip of the spear of research.

    Patterns

    • at the tip of the spear

    Their lab is at the tip of the spear of cancer research.

    Young engineers are the tip of the spear in electric vehicles.

    The startup sees itself as the tip of the spear of change.

Common combinations

be the tip of the spear
Firefighters are always the tip of the spear.
at the tip of the spear
She worked at the tip of the spear of reform.
the tip of the spear in
He is the tip of the spear in our expansion.
lead as the tip of the spear
Scouts lead as the tip of the spear.

Synonyms and how they differ

vanguard
It is more formal and often refers to leaders of a movement, not necessarily those facing danger first.
spearhead
Spearhead can be a verb, so you can spearhead a campaign, while the idiom is a noun phrase.
front line
It suggests being closest to the difficulty, but not necessarily leading the charge.
cutting edge
It means the most advanced technology or ideas, not the group facing the first push.

Opposites

rear guard

Word family

spear noun
a long weapon with a pointed head
spearhead verb
to lead an attack or effort
tip noun
the pointed end of something

Commonly confused: tip of the spear or tip of the iceberg?

tip of the spear vs tip of the iceberg

Tip of the iceberg means a small visible part of a much bigger problem, which is a very different idea.

Practice

The company's research team is considered the ______ in developing battery technology.

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