cream off

To take the best people or things from a larger group.

• The club creams off the best players.
• Large firms creamed off our most experienced staff.
• They want to cream off promising students.

How to use it: cream off someone/something from something (Private schools cream off talented students from local schools.)

Similar words: cherry-pick, select

Common phrases: cream off talent, cream off someone, cream off something

To take a share of money earned, sometimes secretly or dishonestly.

• The manager creamed off some profits.
• Agents cream off a fee from each payment.
• She was caught creaming off company earnings.

How to use it: cream off something from something (The agent creamed off a percentage from every sale.)

Similar words: skim off, take a cut

Common phrases: cream off profits, cream off money, cream off something

To take the thick, fatty layer from the top of milk or another liquid.

• Cream off the top layer.
• They creamed off the milk before making cheese.
• Can you cream off the fat with a spoon?

How to use it: cream something off something (She creamed the thick layer off the milk.)

Similar words: skim off

Common phrases: cream off milk, cream off something

To remove makeup or something similar from your skin using cream.

• She creamed off her makeup.
• He carefully creamed the stage makeup off.
• Do you cream off your lipstick every night?

How to use it: cream something off (She creamed her makeup off before bed.)

Similar words: clean off, remove

Common phrases: cream off makeup, cream off something