ripoff

or rip-off

[ rip-awf, -of ]
/ ˈrɪpˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
SEE 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.

Origin of ripoff

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

Words nearby ripoff

ripen, ripidolite, ripieno, ripken, ripley, ripoff, ripon, riposte, ripped, ripper, ripping

Definition for rip off (2 of 2)

Origin of rip

1
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 SYNONYMS FOR rip ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM rip

rip·pa·ble, adjective un·rip·pa·ble, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rip

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

Words related to rip off

abuse, appropriate, bleed, cheat, con, cop, defraud, dupe, exploit, filch, fleece, heist, lift, nab, pilfer, pinch, plunder, ransack, relieve, rifle

British Dictionary definitions for rip off (1 of 5)

rip off

verb

(tr) to tear violently or roughly (from)
(adverb) slang to steal from or cheat (someone)

noun rip-off

slang an article or articles stolen
slang a grossly overpriced article
slang the act of stealing or cheating

British Dictionary definitions for rip off (2 of 5)

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 (3 of 5)

rip 1
/ (rɪp) /

verb rips, ripping or ripped

noun

the place where something is torn; a tear or split
short for ripsaw
See also rip off, rip on, rip up

Derived forms of rip

rippable, adjective

Word Origin for rip

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

British Dictionary definitions for rip off (4 of 5)

rip 2
/ (rɪp) /

noun

short for riptide (def. 1)

Word Origin for rip

C18: perhaps from rip 1

British Dictionary definitions for rip off (5 of 5)

rip 3
/ (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

Scientific 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 (1 of 2)

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.

Idioms and Phrases with rip off (2 of 2)

rip