nick someone for

nick (one) for (something)

To cheat or swindle one out of something, especially money. The crooked mayor reportedly nicked taxpayers for nearly $1 million during his time in public office. Because they have a near-monopoly in the concert distribution market, the company is able to nick customers for all sorts of bogus extra charges that they add in at the last second.
See also: nick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

nick someone for

cheat someone out of something, typically a sum of money. North American informal
1962 Washington Daily News Taxpayers… have heard rumblings that they might be nicked for about a million dollars each year to subsidize professional sports here.
See also: nick, someone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • nick (one) for (something)
  • chisel
  • chisel out of
  • chiseled
  • take (one) to the cleaners
  • take somebody to the cleaners
  • take someone to the cleaners
  • take to the cleaners
  • screw someone over
  • screwed over
References in periodicals archive
"You can then nick someone for a minor infraction of the rules, while you are allowing the real criminals to go unmolested.
"He's the sort of bloke who would nick someone for doing the same."