despoil of

despoil (something) of (something)

To rob something valuable from a particular place or thing. I can't believe that a thief despoiled the art museum of an original Picasso. It seems that someone despoiled the ancient tomb of its jewels before we got here.
See also: despoil, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

despoil something of something

to make something, such as a town, tomb, or building, lose value by stealing from it; to rob something of something. The vandals despoiled the castle of much of its furnishings. The land was despoiled of its fertility by overplanting.
See also: despoil, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • despoil
  • despoil (something) of (something)
  • take (someone or something) as (something)
  • take as
  • keep (one's) weather eye open
  • keep a
  • keep a weather eye open
  • keep a weather eye out
  • keep weather eye open
  • tea leaf
References in classic literature
When he has nothing left, must not his desires, crowding in the nest like young ravens, be crying aloud for food; and he, goaded on by them, and especially by love himself, who is in a manner the captain of them, is in a frenzy, and would fain discover whom he can defraud or despoil of his property, in order that he may gratify them?
Republic