skim off
Take the top
To skim off is to remove something from the surface of a liquid: Skim off the fat before serving the soup.
The phrase extends to taking the best or most valuable portion of something: Recruiters skimmed off the top talent.
It often implies illicit removal: The manager was skimming off profits for years.
- misappropriateWrongly take another's assets
- separateTo set apart
- siphonLiquid transfer tube
- fatAdipose tissue
- removeTake something away
spoon · embezzle · pilfer · slush fund · froth · lift · divert · extract · cream of the crop · take · scoop · pocket · ladle · take away · scum · pick out · withdraw · decant
- remove liquiddrain, siphon, decant, pump, pump out
- exploitationexploit, predatory, sex trafficking, take advantage, human trafficking