# tickle the wire

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/tickle-the-wire
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To create a situation that will encourage the target of a criminal probe to speak and divulge information on a wiretapped telephone.

## Examples

- The detectives hope to tickle the wire to get a confession.
- The lead investigator decided to tickle the wire by leaking false information to the suspect's associate.
- By planting a rumor about the missing funds, the agents successfully tickled the wire, prompting the nervous suspect to reveal his location during the recorded call.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.