rip-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈrip-ˌȯf 

1

: an act or instance of stealing : theft

also : a financial exploitation

2

: a usually cheap exploitive imitation

rip off

2 of 2

verb

ripped off; ripping off; rips off

transitive verb

1

a

: rob

also : cheat, defraud

b

: steal

2

: to copy or imitate blatantly or unscrupulously

3

: to perform, achieve, or score quickly or easily

ripped off 10 straight points

Synonyms

Noun

• grab
• heist
• pinch
• snatching
• swiping
• theft

Verb

• burglarize
• burgle
• knock off
• knock over
• rob
• steal (from)
• take off [slang]

Examples of rip-off in a Sentence

Noun

a daring burglary of the art museum that resulted in one of the greatest rip-offs in history

Verb

the teens ripped off the store where they had been working for the summer

the thief ripped off some jewelry as soon as no one was looking

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This complete 'rip-off' of our Country will immediately stop ... —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

What Is ‘Nosferatu’? Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is a 1922 horror classic that was conceived as a rip-off of Dracula, after the film’s producers failed to get the rights to the famous Bram Stoker novel. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Verb

After the Tigers put together an impressive, methodical opening drive that ended with a touchdown, Randall ripped off a 41-yard run on the third drive of the game. —The Athletic College Football Staff, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024

Ryan ripped off her gloves and grabbed her phone to show an old photo. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1969, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1967, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

rip-off

1 of 2 noun

ˈrip-ˌȯf

: an act or an instance of ripping off

rip off

2 of 2 verb

ˈrip-ˈȯf

1

: rob sense 1a

also : to cheat someone : defraud

2

: steal entry 1 sense 2a