siphon off

USAGE SUMMARY

"siphon off" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to divert or transfer something, usually money or resources, without permission or for personal gain. An example sentence using "siphon off" could be: "The corrupt politician was caught siphoning off funds from the public budget for his own luxurious lifestyle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The entire state machinery exists to siphon off cash.

The Economist

Look, for example, at how airlines siphon off value.

Harvard Business Review

Your new low-cost product may siphon off existing customers.

Harvard Business Review

But Lehwess had set up a network of front companies to siphon off its funds.

The Economist

But protesters fear the authority would siphon off water for mining, rather than farming.

The Economist

Conveniently for Mr Putin, two fringe leftist candidates also siphon off some Communist support.

The Economist

Did Bernie Madoff siphon off too much money and attention span?

The New York Times

There were also cases where middlemen would siphon off cash, leaving little for the developers.

The New York Times

Others worry that Mr. Millepied, with his big spotlight, will siphon off sponsorship money.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Flappy Bird's absence, a wave of clones appeared, hoping to siphon-off Nguyen's success.

TechCrunch

In Flappy Bird's absence, a wave of clones appeared, hoping to siphon-off Nguyen's success.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "siphon off", ensure the context clearly indicates the source from which something is being diverted and the destination or purpose of the diverted resource. For example, "The company was accused of siphoning off profits to offshore accounts."

Common error

Avoid using "siphon off" when simply referring to a reduction or allocation of resources. The phrase implies a clandestine or unauthorized diversion. For instance, instead of saying "The new project siphoned off staff from other departments", consider "The new project drew staff from other departments" if the transfer was legitimate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "siphon off" functions as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It describes the action of diverting or extracting something, often funds or resources, from one place to another, typically in a secretive or unauthorized manner. This is supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "siphon off" is a phrasal verb that denotes the act of diverting or extracting something, often with implications of secrecy or impropriety. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts. Its function is to convey a sense of resource transfer, typically with negative connotations. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly indicates both the source and destination of the diverted resources to avoid misinterpretations. Be mindful that while alternatives such as "divert" or "extract" exist, they may not always capture the full nuance of illicit or unauthorized activity associated with "siphon off".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divert

This alternative is a more general term for changing the course or destination of something.

extract

This alternative emphasizes the act of taking something out or obtaining it from a source.

funnel

This alternative implies directing something, often towards a specific purpose or destination.

appropriate

This alternative suggests taking something, sometimes without permission, for one's own use.

embezzle

This alternative specifically refers to the fraudulent appropriation of funds.

pilfer

This alternative implies stealing small amounts of something repeatedly.

skim

This alternative suggests removing a small portion from a larger quantity.

bleed

This alternative refers to gradually losing something valuable.

drain

This alternative suggests emptying something gradually.

draw off

This alternative indicates removing something, usually a liquid, from a container.

FAQs

How can I use "siphon off" in a sentence?

You can use "siphon off" to describe the act of diverting resources, funds, or support, often in a clandestine or unauthorized manner. For example, "The corrupt official was accused of siphoning off public funds for personal use."

What can I say instead of "siphon off"?

You can use alternatives like "divert", "extract", or "embezzle" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "siphon off" or "siphon of"?

"Siphon off" is the correct phrasal verb. "Siphon of" is not a standard English construction.

What's the difference between "siphon off" and "draw off"?

"Siphon off" often implies a clandestine or unauthorized diversion of resources, while "draw off" usually refers to a more legitimate or controlled removal of something, often a liquid.