Cream off Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To remove the best or most valuable part of something for yourself, either literally (like taking the cream from milk) or figuratively (like choosing the best people or things and leaving the rest).
Usage & Nuances
Often used negatively to suggest unfair advantage, especially in business, education, or sports. Also refers to the literal process in dairy. Formal in writing; in speech, more often figurative. Common collocations: 'cream off the profits', 'cream off the best students'.
Example Sentences
Dairies cream off the milk to make butter.
basic
They tried to cream off the best players for their team.
basic
Some companies cream off the top students from universities.
basic
Big firms often cream off the profits and leave little for small businesses.
natural
The education system shouldn’t just cream off the top performers and ignore others.
natural
After the fire, looters tried to cream off anything valuable left in the store.
natural