cheat

Related to cheat: Cheat codes

cheat (one) out of (something)

To steal or deny one their due property by swindling. That dishonest real estate broker cheated us out of millions.
See also: cheat, of, out

cheat at (something)

To act deceptively or unfairly while completing a task or participating in a competition. My little brother cheats at every board game, so it's not much fun to play with him.
See also: cheat

cheat on (someone or something)

1. To act deceptively or unfairly while completing a task or participating in a competition. I can't believe that Katie cheated on the test—I always thought she was an honest person.
2. To be unfaithful to one's romantic partner. Well, I heard that Jane cheated on Rob, and that's really why they're getting divorced.
See also: cheat, on

cheat out

In theater, to turn one's body on stage so that the audience is better able to hear and see one, even if it is less natural or realistic within the scene. Thomas, you keep turning your back to the audience. Cheat out a bit, please. The actor cheated out so much during the play that I was no longer able to suspend my disbelief.
See also: cheat, out

cheat sheet

1. A piece of paper or other document containing information about or the solutions to questions of a test or exam, which may be used for cheating, studying, or by someone grading said exam. Jim was caught using a cheat sheet during his test and failed the course as a result. My friend gave me a great cheat sheet to use while studying for my final exam.
2. Any document on which complex or difficult information is summarized so as to allow for easy reference and/or understanding. I made a cheat sheet of everyday Japanese phrases so I would know how to say at least a few things while in Tokyo next week!
See also: cheat, sheet

cheat the worms

To avoid death, especially after having a serious illness. Refers to the worms often found near a decaying body. A: "I heard that Ellen cheated the worms! Is that true? Last I saw her, she was so sick." B: "Oh, yeah! She's doing great now!" I hope I can cheat the worms and make a full recovery—but I feel so sick right now.
See also: cheat, Worms

cheats never prosper

proverb People who use dishonest means will not find true success. I'm not too worried about Eric getting ahead of me in the class rankings. I know he cheated on his last test, and cheats never prosper!
See also: cheat, never, prosper
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cheat at something

to use deception while competing [against someone]. They say she cheats at cards. The mob is likely to cheat at getting the contracts.
See also: cheat

cheat on someone

to commit adultery; to be unfaithful to one's spouse or lover. "Have you been cheating on me?" cried Mrs. Franklin. He was caught cheating on his wife.
See also: cheat, on

cheat someone out of something

to get something from someone by deception. Are you trying to cheat me out of what is rightfully mine? She cheated herself out of an invitation because she lied about her affiliation.
See also: cheat, of, out

Cheats never prosper.

 and Cheaters never prosper.
Prov. If you cheat people, they will not continue to do business with you, and so your business will fail. Customer: You charged me for ten artichokes, but you only gave me nine. Grocer: Too bad. You should have counted them before you paid for them. Customer: Cheats never prosper, you know.
See also: Cheat, never, prosper
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

cheat on

Be sexually unfaithful to, as in They broke up right after she found he was cheating on her. [Colloquial; 1920s]
See also: cheat, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

cheat on

v.
1. To behave fraudulently during some process or activity: The teacher caught the student cheating on the test.
2. To be unfaithful to someone, especially a spouse or lover: I hired a private detective to see if my spouse was cheating on me.
See also: cheat, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • cheat (one) out of (something)
  • cheat out of
  • trick (one) out of (something)
  • trick (something) out of (one)
  • trick out of
  • swindle (something) out of (one)
  • double cross
  • hunker-slider
  • a/one side of the picture
  • a/one side of the story
References in periodicals archive
Of those who cheated, 75 per cent blamed booze, the poll of 2,000 people for divorce law specialists Simpson Millar found.
1 in 5 Brits admit cheating while on holiday WITH their partner; EXCLUSIVE: New survey highlights the number of British couples torn apart by one partner's infidelity while on holiday together
And don't cheat in revenge to your partner's infidelity either.
PLAIN TRUTH: There's nothing triumphant about infidelity
Take-Two Interactive has won a default judgement against the 'Elusive' cheat creator Jhonny Perez.
GTA V 'Elusive' cheat creator ordered to pay $150,000 in damages to Take-Two for copyright infringement
Let's say you cheat on your biology final and never truly process the chapter on osmosis.
CHEATING THE SYSTEM: THIS YEAR, DURING FINALS, THOUSANDS OF GIRLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL CHEAT. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING STUDENTS SO DISHONEST--AND WHY NO GRADE IS WORTH CHEATING FOR
Niantic has warned that the use of cheat apps is subject to a permanent ban or temporary suspension from the game.
'Pokemon Go' developer in dilemma over cheat apps
Although the students had an incentive to cheat (a payout for correct answers) and no expected cost (they shredded the evidence themselves), they did not cheat as much as they could have.
The (Honest) Truth about Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone --Especially Ourselves by Dan Ariely
What nasty, immoral low-life pays a subscription to cheat on someone they're supposed to love.
Love cheats deserve to be exposed
The fact that academic cheating by students, hereafter cheating, is common suggests that, at least in some way, many students think that it is okay to cheat. Not surprisingly, a large number of studies have identified student attitudes that are correlated with cheating (Whitley, 1998).
Learning that it is okay to cheat
taxes, cheat on the test, cheat at cards, cheat your friend, cheat
in praise of cheating
By investigating university students who are frequently involved in cheating, my aim in this study was to identify the behaviors students utilize to cheat and to find out why they do so rather than relying on their own ideas or knowledge.
College students' cheating behaviors
In fact, empirical proof of the effectiveness of the GMAT Cheat Sheet recently became available when 87% of its buyers reported increases of 30 points or more in their GMAT scores.
87% of GMAT Cheat Sheet Users Report Increases in GMAT Scores of at Least 30 Points
During class time last year, I asked them to answer a question: If you have a chance to cheat on an exam and with no risk at all of being caught, what's your choice?
Cheaters justify gaming the school system
I also see students preparing to cheat in elaborate ways in order to minimize the chance of getting caught.
Cheating students: how our schools fail the humanistic vision of education