trim off

trim off

1. To remove by cutting some small piece of someone or something else. A noun or pronoun can be used between "trim" and "off." I just want to trim off some of your hair in the back—I promise I won't do anything drastic! I decided to trim off my mustache.
2. To excise some element or aspect abruptly or suddenly. A noun or pronoun can be used between "trim" and "off." The company was forced to trim off healthcare benefits for its employees in order to stay afloat. My editor trimmed nearly 200 pages off my book, calling them "unnecessary"!
3. To shed body fat (from some part of one's body), as through dieting or exercising. A noun or pronoun can be used between "trim" and "off." I'd love to trim a couple pounds off my waist before my wedding. This is one of the best ways to trim off that stubborn belly fat.
See also: off, trim
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

trim something off (of) someone or something

 and trim something off
to cut something off someone or something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) I asked the barber to trim the beard off of Ralph. The barber trimmed off Ralph's beard.
See also: off, trim
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

trim off

v.
To remove some excess by or as if by cutting: I trimmed off the rotten wood. The barber will trim my bangs off.
See also: off, trim
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • check off
  • base off (of) (something else)
  • bite off
  • blow off
  • blow someone/something off
  • blow off the map
  • cheese off
  • cheese someone off
References in periodicals archive
Trim off the bottom 1/4-inch of the artichoke stem, then, working quickly using a paring knife or a peeler, cut off the tough outer layer of the stem until you reach the tender light green core.
Tips for breaking through an artichoke's armor
* Remove the pins and trim off excess filler; leaving 1 1/2 inches of backing all around.
Create a T-shirt quilt
Remember, take 10 cm cuttings from the new growth, trim off the bottom leaves, dip in rooting hormone, pop three to four into a pot of potting compost and keep moist.
Time to trim your DAHLIAS; The TV Gardener
Nuggets are small pieces of belly flap meat--abdominal muscles that processors trim off fillets.
Mis-cut fillets and nuggets
Halved leeks: Trim off tough green parts, cut remaining portion in half lengthwise, and hold under cold running water, flipping layers to rinse out grit.
Four ways to enjoy ... fresh leeks
The fan is mounted in a housing and sucks the trim off the end of the conveyor and into the blades.
Paper shredder soft on starting
Trim off affected shoots and, if the problem seems serious, spray with fungicide, allowing time stated on the product before harvesting.
Chores of the week
Trim off leaves of strawberries to just above the crowns after fruiting.
Weekend: Gardening: GARDENING CHORES
Whatever overlaps your natural lashline, trim off. Apply a thin stripe of glue (we prefer the surgical adhesive Duo to the stuff in the kits).
Get Connected Girlfriend! (GL Fashion/Beauty)
Trim off the edges to form a rectangle and set aside.
Crepes
Before going forward, it helps to trim off the fat as much as possible."
PROPER USE OF BI TOOLS CAN ENHANCE YOUR BUSINESS
In most cases, processors trim off the edges of the layflat at the fold.
Polystyrene Blown Film STARTS TO GET SOME RESPECT
An elephant may shorten a branch or trim off some leaves to get the swatter just right.
My dad said he read that elephants use fly swatters. Do they really do that?
So after restarting moved around behind the Woodman and his truck and reached up to trim off the low branches.
The woodman cometh
Trim off the edges and press together with a fork to give a secure seal.
Recipe of the Week Cheese and onion pie