ripoff

or rip-off

[ rip-awf, -of ]

/ ˈrɪpˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ripoff ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Slang.

an act or instance of ripping off another or others; a theft, cheat, or swindle.

exploitation, especially of those who cannot prevent or counter it.

a copy or imitation.

a person who rips off another or others; thief or swindler.

Nearby words

rip into, rip off, rip on, rip up, rip van winkle, ripoff, rip-rap, rip-roaring, riparian, riparian right, riparian rights

Origin of ripoff

First recorded in 1965–70; noun use of verb phrase rip off

Definition for rip-off (2 of 2)

rip

[ rip ]

/ rɪp /

verb (used with object), ripped, rip·ping.

to cut or tear apart in a rough or vigorous manner: to rip open a seam; to rip up a sheet.

to cut or tear away in a rough or vigorous manner: to rip bark from a tree.

to saw (wood) in the direction of the grain.

Digital Technology. to copy (audio or video files from a CD, DVD, or website) to a hard drive or mobile device, typically by extracting the raw data and changing the file format in the process: Can you rip this CD for me?Compare burn¹(def 29).See also DAE

verb (used without object), ripped, rip·ping.

to become torn apart or split open: Cheap cloth rips easily.

Informal. to move with violence or great speed: The sports car ripped along in a cloud of dust and exhaust fumes.

noun

a rent made by ripping; tear.

Slang. a cheat, swindle, or theft; ripoff: The average consumer doesn't realize that the new tax is a rip.

Verb Phrases

rip into, Informal. to attack physically or verbally; assail.

rip off, Slang.

to steal or pilfer.
to rob or steal from.
to swindle, cheat, or exploit; take advantage of: phony charity appeals that rip off a gullible public.

rip out, Informal. to utter angrily, as with an oath or exclamation.

Origin of rip

1470–80; 1960–65 for def 10; obscurely akin to Frisian rippe, dialectal Dutch rippen; compare dialectal English ripple to scratch

SYNONYMS FOR rip

1 See tear².

7 laceration, cut.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rip ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

rip·pa·ble, adjectiveun·rip·pa·ble, adjective

Can be confused

burglarize mug rip off rob steal (see synonym study at rob)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rip-off

The last band I was in was kind of a Sonic Youth rip-off band, and I thought that that was my calling.
Deer Tick's John McCauley on Ten Years in Rock and Roll|James Joiner|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This is why capitalism, he concludes triumphantly, is “no rip-off.”
In Dinesh D’Souza’s ‘America,’ Slavery Wasn’t So Bad, but Hillary and Barack Are Socialist Devils|Andrew Romano|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I even liked her in House at the End of the Street, the low-budget Silence of the Lambs rip-off that came out last fall.
‘Argo,’ ‘Silver Linings Playbook,’ ‘Lincoln’: Who Will Win On Oscar Night?|Ramin Setoodeh, Marlow Stern|February 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Today, the GOP released their Pledge to America, their rip-off of the popular and galvanizing 1994 Contract with America.
The Dems Aren't Toast|Kirsten Powers|September 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for rip-off (1 of 4)

RIP

abbreviation for

requiescat or requiescant in pace

Word Origin for RIP

Latin: may he, she, or they rest in peace

British Dictionary definitions for rip-off (2 of 4)

rip

/ (rɪp) /

verb rips, ripping or ripped

to tear or be torn violently or roughly; split or be rent

(tr ; foll by off or out) to remove hastily, carelessly, or roughlythey ripped out all the old kitchen units

(intr) informal to move violently or precipitously; rush headlong

(intr foll by into) informal to pour violent abuse (on); make a verbal attack (on)

(tr) to saw or split (wood) in the direction of the grain

(tr) informal computing to copy (music or software) without permission or making any payment

let rip to act or speak without restraint

noun

the place where something is torn; a tear or split

short for ripsaw

Derived Forms

rippable, adjective

Word Origin for rip

C15: perhaps from Flemish rippen; compare Middle Dutch rippen to pull

British Dictionary definitions for rip-off (3 of 4)

rip

/ (rɪp) /

noun

short for riptide (def. 1)

Word Origin for rip

C18: perhaps from rip 1

British Dictionary definitions for rip-off (4 of 4)

rip

/ (rɪp) /

noun informal, archaic

something or someone of little or no value

an old worn-out horse

a dissolute character; reprobate

Word Origin for rip

C18: perhaps altered from rep, shortened from reprobate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for rip-off

rip

[ rĭp ]

A stretch of water in a river, estuary, or tidal channel made rough by waves meeting an opposing current.

A rip current.

Idioms and Phrases with rip-off

rip

In addition to the idioms beginning with rip

ripe old age
rip into
rip off

also see:

let it rip