rip off

verb

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

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

noun

1. slang,  an article or articles stolen

2. slang,  a grossly overpriced article

3. slang,  the act of stealing or cheating

Idioms and Phrases

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

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

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.

Related Words

• swindle