rip off

British  

verb

1. (tr) to tear violently or roughly (from)

2. slang (adverb) to steal from or cheat (someone)

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noun

1. slang an article or articles stolen

2. slang a grossly overpriced article

3. slang the act of stealing or cheating

rip off Idioms  

1. Steal, as in They fired him when they caught him ripping off some of the merchandise .

2. Cheat, defraud, as in These advertising claims have ripped off a great many consumers .

3. Copy, plagiarize, as in He was sued for ripping off someone else's thesis . All three usages are slang from the second half of the 1900s.

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Example Sentences

While precious metals remain much more valuable than this time last year, the frenzy shows how volatile commodities trading can be, with experts warning would-be sellers to be careful of being ripped off.

From BBC

“I was very disappointed. There needs to be more protection out there, both for consumers and for artists, so people aren’t getting ripped off all the time.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Please be informed that we will no longer let the American Public be 'ripped off' by Credit Card Companies."

From BBC

Ms. Andrews rips off the receipt and holds it out.

From Literature

Within years, it was ripped off by the competition.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• swindle