Skim off
verb
To remove the top layer of a liquid, often because it has impurities.
When making soup, skim off the foam that forms at the surface.
Often appears as...
- skim off the top
- skim off the surface
verb
To take away a part of something, especially money, illicitly or unfairly.
The manager was fired for skimming off the company's profits.
Often appears as...
- skim off profits
- skim off income
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To remove the top layer of a liquid, often because it has impurities.
When making soup, skim off the foam that forms at the surface.
Often appears as...
- skim off the top
- skim off the surface
verb
To take away a part of something, especially money, illicitly or unfairly.
The manager was fired for skimming off the company's profits.
Often appears as...
- skim off profits
- skim off income
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Cooking Context
Used often in cooking to mean removing unwanted parts from liquids like soups or stocks.
After boiling the bones, skim off the impurities to get a clear broth.
Pro Tip 2/3Surface Action
It usually involves a gentle, careful action to clear the liquid’s surface without disturbing the remainder.
Carefully skim off any oil that has risen to the top of the sauce.
Pro Tip 3/3Literal Meaning
It can be used literally to refer to the physical act of removing something from the surface.
Use a net to skim off leaves floating in the pool.
Pro Tip 1/3Cooking Context
Used often in cooking to mean removing unwanted parts from liquids like soups or stocks.
After boiling the bones, skim off the impurities to get a clear broth.
Pro Tip 2/3Surface Action
It usually involves a gentle, careful action to clear the liquid’s surface without disturbing the remainder.
Carefully skim off any oil that has risen to the top of the sauce.
Pro Tip 3/3Literal Meaning
It can be used literally to refer to the physical act of removing something from the surface.
Use a net to skim off leaves floating in the pool.
Pro Tip 1/3Cooking Context
Used often in cooking to mean removing unwanted parts from liquids like soups or stocks.
After boiling the bones, skim off the impurities to get a clear broth.
Pro Tip 2/3Surface Action
It usually involves a gentle, careful action to clear the liquid’s surface without disturbing the remainder.
Carefully skim off any oil that has risen to the top of the sauce.
Pro Tip 3/3Literal Meaning
It can be used literally to refer to the physical act of removing something from the surface.
Use a net to skim off leaves floating in the pool.
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