pipe off
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To watch (a person or building) for purposes of theft.
Register: dated, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
To put the matter to further test, on the succeeding night other of their men were instructed to "pipe off" the place still more cautiously. But these too were discovered by Miles's vigilant but bogus police, given chase to, and unmercifully clubbed.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “pipe off” mean?
To watch (a person or building) for purposes of theft.
Is “pipe off” formal or informal?
pipe off is generally dated, slang.