1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To select and take the best or most talented people from a larger group.
"Private schools are accused of creaming off the most able pupils from the local area."
separable
cream off
B2 neutral separable transitive
To take the best or most talented people or the most profitable part of something, leaving the rest behind.
In plain English
To take only the best people or things from a group and leave the rest.
What does "cream off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To take the most profitable or valuable part of something, leaving the less lucrative portions.
"The new competitor is creaming off the high-value contracts and leaving us with the difficult clients."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To skim the cream (the richest, fattiest layer) off the top of fresh milk — taking the best for yourself.
Actually means
To take only the best people or things from a group and leave the rest.
Usage tip
Often used critically, implying the remainder is left worse off. Common in education and business contexts. Widely used in British English journalism. The metaphor comes from cream rising to the top of milk.
Words that pair with "cream off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
profits talent students elite top graduates resources
How to conjugate "cream off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cream off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
creams off
he/she/it
Past simple
creamed off
yesterday
Past participle
creamed off
have + pp
-ing form
creaming off
continuous
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