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rip off

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rip off

[for something] to tear or peel off. My pocket ripped off, and my money is gone now! A piece of the bumper ripped off my car.

See also: off, rip

rip someone off

Inf. to steal [something] from someone; to cheat someone. That merchant ripped me off! She rips off everyone.

See also: off, rip

rip something off

Inf. to steal something [from someone]. The mugger ripped my purse off of me. Jane ripped off a lot of money. Somebody ripped my wallet off.

See also: off, rip

rip something off (of) someone or something

 and rip something off

to tear something away from someone or something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) I ripped the cover off of the book accidentally. I ripped off the book cover.

See also: off, rip

rip somebody off

(slang) also rip off somebody

1. to cheat or deceive someone If your kids lie to you, you feel emotionally ripped off. She offers advice on how you can keep restaurants from ripping you off.

2. to steal from someone He admitted he had ripped off a drug smuggler and blown up his boat. I have a great idea for a book, but I don't want the publisher to rip me off.

See also: off, rip

rip something off

(slang) also rip off something

to steal something Two students ripped off a fund for leukemia patients. I ripped off the idea from an old friend.

See also: off, rip

rip off

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.

See also: off, rip

rip off

v.

1. To remove something from something by ripping or tearing: I ripped the tag off the pillow. Rip off a few more bits of cloth to make rags.

2. To remove something quickly: She ripped her shoes off and threw them under the bed. He ripped off his shirt and threw it into the hamper.

3. To steal from someone or something: The thieves ripped off the unsuspecting tourist. The crook ripped the cashier off.

4. To steal something: The shoplifter ripped off five shirts. The thief ripped a car off from the lot.

5. To exploit, swindle, cheat, or defraud someone or something: The false advertising campaign ripped off a lot of people who bought the product. I think the person at the ticket booth ripped me off.

See also: off, rip