ab|zwacken
Translation
to pinch off, to siphon off, to filch
Examples
Er hat etwas Geld vom Haushaltsgeld abgezwackt.
He siphoned off some money from the housekeeping budget.
Ich muss mir jeden Monat etwas für die Reise abzwacken.
I have to set aside a little something for the trip each month.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((von+3)) to siphon sth. off from sth. He siphoned money off from the account.
sich ((sth.)) to set aside sth. for oneself She sets aside 50 euros for herself each month.
Similar Words
to filch, to pilfer; Antonyms: to add, to give
Etymology
From 'ab-' (off, away) and 'zwacken' (to pinch, tweak). Literally 'to pinch off'.
Memory Tips
Imagine 'pinching off' a small amount of money from a larger sum for yourself. It's a colloquial term.