rip off

Meaning

This expression can be used as a phrasal verb ('to rip someone off') or a noun ('a rip-off'). It means to cheat someone by charging them too much money for something, or to describe a product that is not worth its price. It carries a strong tone of annoyance.

Examples

• Don't buy your tickets from street vendors; they will definitely rip you off.

  Don't buy your tickets from street vendors; they will definitely rip you off.

• Ten dollars for a bottle of water is a complete rip-off.

  Ten dollars for a bottle of water is a complete rip-off.

• I feel like we got ripped off by that mechanic.

  I feel like we got ripped off by that mechanic.

• That tourist shop is famous for ripping off unsuspecting travelers.

  That tourist shop is famous for ripping off unsuspecting travelers.

• Is this brand-name jacket really worth it, or is it just a rip-off?

  Is this brand-name jacket really worth it, or is it just a rip-off?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The taxi driver ripped off me.

  ✓ The taxi driver ripped me off.

  When using 'rip off' as a phrasal verb with a pronoun object (me, you, him, etc.), the pronoun must go between 'rip' and 'off'.

• ✗ This phone is a very rip-off.

  ✓ This phone is a total rip-off.

  'Rip-off' is a noun, so it should be modified by adjectives like 'total' or 'complete' rather than the adverb 'very'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• That restaurant is a total ___; they charged us for tap water!

  💡 Noun form meaning a scam or bad deal.

  Show answer

  rip-off

• Be careful at the market, or the vendors might ___ you ___.

  💡 Phrasal verb split by 'you'.

  Show answer

  rip off