to rip off
79
6.3
- phrasal verb
- /rɪp ɔf/
- Informal
:
robar
- The shop owner realized that someone had ripped off a display item without paying for it.
- rip off some stuff
- rip off and steal
- rip off drugs
Examples
-
There is no call for these high prices other than ripping off the public.
Blog text (14) -
At the same time, be cautious of theft and being ripped off by taxi drivers.
Blog text (12) -
You know when you buy things online and you realize in the moment you got ripped off, So what are you actually doing?
-
Maybe you left the safe open and we got ripped off.
-
The American public is getting ripped off when it comes to public school education.
Blog text (14) -
I'm the one that got ripped off! Not you, not the United States government, me.
Fiction book (2002) -
You come out to find that thieves have ripped off your stereo.
-
It's how we're ripped off by the richest people in the world.
-
Don't try to rip me off.
-
One surefire way to prevent being ripped off by contractors is to use a payment escrow service.
Blog text (14)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Take something that does not belong to you without permission
200
4.5
To take power or money in a dishonest, selfish way
184
8.8
To steal something quickly without the owner knowing
58
8.4
To steal small things from someone's pocket or bag
49
5.5
To take something quickly without the owner noticing
39
5.0
To steal items from a shop while acting like a customer
16
6.5
To steal small things of little value, often a little at a time
10
6.1
To take someone else's ideas or work without permission
7
6.6
To take someone else's ideas or work and use them as your own without permission
7
8.4
Steal things, for example electronics or cars
6
7.5
To take something that is not yours and carry it away without asking
5
7.9
To secretly take money from a business or charity for your own use
5
8.4
To take money or things you were trusted with and use them yourself
2
8.0
To steal something quickly and secretly
1
9.9
To take something quickly, often without permission
Grab someone's handbag quickly and run away to steal it
To secretly steal something
To steal small items, especially money, from someone's pocket or bag without them noticing
Antonyms
How Serious
Surface Forms
Morphology
The constituents 'rip' (to tear) and 'off' (remove) yield a clear image of forceful removal, which relates metaphorically to taking someone's money or value. However, the specific commercial/deceptive sense 'to cheat or overcharge' is an extended, idiomatic use that is not fully predictable from the literal parts, so learners who know the words may only partly infer the meaning without prior exposure.
Etymology
Rip off used for stealing comes from the same image: picture someone quickly ripping a phone or bag off a person and running away. That's why it means 'to steal' something quickly or secretly.