Slang. a business, especially a place of entertainment, that makes a practice of overcharging or cheating customers.
2.
Masonry. a mortar joint made higher than usual in order to level the course above.
Origin
1930-35, Americanism
British Dictionary definitions for clip joint
clip joint
noun
1.
(slang) a place, such as a nightclub or restaurant, in which customers are overcharged
Slang definitions & phrases for clip joint
clip joint
noun phrase
A gambling establishment where the customer is regularly cheated
Any business establishment that regularly overcharges, or where one is likely to be cheated: One man's gourmet noshery is another man's clip joint(1920s+)