skim something off

skim something off
ˌskim sth/sbˈoff derived
to take for yourself the best part of sth, often in an unfair way

Private companies should not be allowed to skim off profitable sectors of the postal service.

Main entry:skimderived

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • skim off — verb 1. remove from the surface (Freq. 2) skim cream from the surface of milk • Syn: ↑skim, ↑cream off, ↑cream • See Also: ↑cream off (for: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • skim — [skım] v past tense and past participle skimmed present participle skimming [Date: 1400 1500; Origin: Perhaps from scum to remove scum (14 19 centuries), from scum (noun)] 1.) [T] to remove something from the surface of a liquid, especially… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • skim — [ skım ] verb 1. ) intransitive or transitive to move quickly over the surface of something, or to make something do this: We stood on the bridge watching swallows skimming the water. skim across/over: Water skiers skimmed across the bay. a )… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • skim — [[t]skɪ̱m[/t]] skims, skimming, skimmed 1) VERB If you skim something from the surface of a liquid, you remove it. [V n off/from n] Rough seas today prevented specially equipped ships from skimming oil off the water s surface... [V n with off]… …   English dictionary

  • skim — verb skimmed, skimming 1 (T) to remove floating fat or solids from the surface of a liquid: skim sth off/from: After simmering the meat and vegetables skim the fat from the surface. 2 (I, T) to read something quickly to find the main facts or… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • skim off something — skim off (something) to take something valuable. The colleges with very high standards skim off the best high school graduates. State and local governments skim tax money off the company s profits. Etymology: based on the literal meaning of skim… …   New idioms dictionary

  • skim — /skim/, v., skimmed, skimming, n. v.t. 1. to take up or remove (floating matter) from the surface of a liquid, as with a spoon or ladle: to skim the cream from milk. 2. to clear (liquid) thus: to skim milk. 3. to move or glide lightly over or… …   Universalium

  • skim off — (something) to take something valuable. The colleges with very high standards skim off the best high school graduates. State and local governments skim tax money off the company s profits. Etymology: based on the literal meaning of skim off (= to …   New idioms dictionary

  • skim — UK [skɪm] / US verb Word forms skim : present tense I/you/we/they skim he/she/it skims present participle skimming past tense skimmed past participle skimmed 1) [transitive] to remove a substance that is floating on the surface of a liquid skim… …   English dictionary

  • skim — [[t]skɪm[/t]] v. skimmed, skim•ming, n. 1) to take up or remove (floating matter) from the surface of a liquid, as with a spoon or ladle 2) to clear (liquid) thus: to skim milk[/ex] 3) to move or glide lightly over or along (a surface, as of… …   From formal English to slang

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