tip off, v.¹ — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

tip off v.¹

also tip off the perch

to die.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: To Tip off, to Dye.
1727		J. Gay Beggar’s Opera III iii: Truly, if that great Man should tip off, ’twould be an irreparable Loss.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1748		Richardson Clarissa vi 350: Her late husband... tipt off the perch in it, neither knowing how to yield, nor knowing how to conquer [F&H].
1776		G. Colman Spleen Prologue: While living call me, for your pleasure use me; Should I tip off – I hope you’ll then excuse me.