fleyta rjómann

Icelandic

Etymology

From fleyta (“to skim off”) + rjómann (“the cream”) the accusative definite article form of rjómi (“cream”). Meaning "to skim the cream off".

Verb

fleyta rjómann

1. to profit, to make profit, to take the best off

Usage notes

• When used transitively, the preposition af (“off”) is used much like the preposition from is in English:

  Búðir reyna að fleyta rjómann af jólunum.

  Stores try to profit from Christmas.