skim off (something)

to take something valuable.

The colleges with very high standards skim off the best high school graduates.

State and local governments skim tax money off the company's profits.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of skim off (= to remove something floating on a liquid)

• if knows what's good for them
• If looks could kill...
• if memory serves
• If Mohammed will not go to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed.
• if need be
• if push comes to shove
• if someone knows what's good for
• if someone knows what's good for them
• If someone thinks something, they've got another thing coming!
• If someone thinks something, they've got another think coming!
• If someone thinks, they've got another thing coming!
• If someone thinks, they've got another think coming!
• If the cap fits .
• If the cap fits wear it.
• if the going gets rough
• if the going gets tough
• if the worst comes to the worst
• If thinks something, they've got another thing coming!
• If thinks something, they've got another think coming!
• If thinks, they've got another thing coming!
• If thinks, they've got another think coming!
• if worst comes to worst
• If you believe that, you'll believe anything!
• if you can help it
• If you can't beat 'em!