skim off
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To separate (the best part of something from the remainder).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
There was also the influx of a third of a million road lorries, sold at giveaway prices after their war roles ceased and used by competing one-man businesses to skim off sundry agricultural freight.
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 “skim off” mean?
To separate (the best part of something from the remainder).
Is “skim off” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.