rake-off

[reyk-awf, -of]

noun

1. a share or amount taken or received illicitly, as in connection with a public enterprise.

2. a share, as of profits.

3. a discount in the price of a commodity.

   We got a 20 percent rake-off on the dishwasher.

rake-off

noun

1. a share of profits, esp one that is illegal or given as a bribe

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to take or receive (such a share of profits)

Word History and Origins

Origin of rake-off¹

1885–90, noun use of verb phrase rake off

Idioms and Phrases

Make an unlawful profit, as in They suspected her of raking off some of the campaign contributions for her personal use. This expression alludes to the raking of chips by an attendant at a gambling table. [Late 1800s]

Related Words

• account 
• bill 
• commission 
• compensation 
• cost 
• cut 
• expense 
• pay 
• payment 
• price 
• reward 
• salary 
• share 
• stipend 
• wage