rip off

British  

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

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.

---

Example Sentences

"I think Evri are making a fortune off the couriers' backs and I think the couriers are being totally ripped off," one courier told us.

From BBC

Connecticut held USC scoreless for six more minutes after that as it ripped off another run, extending its lead to 22 at halftime.

From Los Angeles Times

And don’t discount that Chinese chip makers will figure out how to rip off Nvidia’s technology.

From The Wall Street Journal

His Corolla sustained heavy damage, its hood ripped off entirely.

From The Wall Street Journal

Several children have been hurt after the roof of a school double-decker bus was ripped off when it hit a low bridge.

From BBC

Related Words

• swindle