a share or amount taken or received illicitly, as in connection with a public enterprise.
2.
a share, as of profits.
3.
a discount in the price of a commodity:
We got a 20 percent rake-off on the dishwasher.
Origin
1885-90, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase rake off
British Dictionary definitions for rake off
rake-off
noun
1.
a share of profits, esp one that is illegal or given as a bribe
verb
2.
(transitive, adverb) to take or receive (such a share of profits)
Slang definitions & phrases for rake off
rake-off
noun
A gambling house's percentage of each pot or stake
An illegal or unethical share or payment
[1888+; fr the rake used by casino croupiers]
Idioms and Phrases with rake off
rake off
Make an unlawful profit, as in They suspected her of raking off some of the campaign contributions for her personal use. This expression alludes to the raking of chips by an attendant at a gambling table. [ Late 1800s ]