tipping point

/ˈtɪpɪŋ pɔɪnt/
noun phraseIntermediate
formal

A point at which a series of small changes or incidents becomes significant enough to cause a large, often unstoppable, effect.

The study found that 30% adoption of a new behavior is often the tipping point for widespread change.

Once 30% of a population adopts a behavior, it often spreads rapidly.

💡

Popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his 2000 book *The Tipping Point*.

💼Business
Business

A moment when a business or product gains rapid and irreversible growth.

The app hit its tipping point after being featured in a major tech review.

The app's popularity surged after positive media coverage.

💡

Often used in marketing and entrepreneurship contexts.

Collocations

reach a tipping pointto reach a critical thresholdpast the tipping pointbeyond the point of no return

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

the straw that broke the camel's backidiom
a final small problem that causes a much larger one

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

Use 'tipping point' for gradual changes that suddenly become significant, not for sudden events.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

Reserve 'tipping point' for truly pivotal moments, not minor changes.

📖Word Origin

From the verb 'tip' (to tilt) and 'point' (a specific moment). Popularized in social science and business literature.

📝Usage Notes

Often used metaphorically to describe rapid, irreversible change in social, business, or environmental contexts.

Word Breakdown

tipping
causing a shift or imbalance
verb
+
point
a specific moment or threshold
noun
English Dictionary