skim

skim [skım] v past tense and past participle skimmed present participle skimming

[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: Perhaps from scum 'to remove scum' (14-19 centuries), from scum (noun)]

1.) [T]

to remove something from the surface of a liquid, especially floating fat, solids, or oil

skim sth off/from sth

▪ After simmering the meat, skim the fat from the surface.

2.) [I and T]

to read something quickly to find the main facts or ideas in it

= ↑scan

▪ Julie skimmed the sports page.

skim through/over

▪ Just skim through the second section to save time.

3.) [T]

to move along quickly over a surface, never touching it or not touching it often

▪ seagulls skimming the waves

skim over/along/across

▪ The ball skimmed across the grass and stopped against the wall.

4.) skim stones/pebbles etc

BrE to throw smooth, flat stones into a lake, river etc in a way that makes them jump across the surface

American Equivalent: skip

skim off [skim sb/sth<=>off] phr v

1.) to take the best people or the best part of something for yourself

▪ Professional sport skims off all the best players.

2.) to take money illegally or dishonestly

▪ For years his business partner had been skimming off the profits.