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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Origin: | cheat 'legal removal of someone's property' (14-17 centuries), from escheat |
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cheat1
1 [intransitive and transitive] to behave in a dishonest way in order to win or to get an advantage, especially in a competition, game, or examination : He had cheated in the test by using a calculator.
He had cheated in the test by using a calculator.2 [transitive] to trick or deceive someone so that they do not get or keep something they have a right to have : Illegal workers are often cheated by employers.
Illegal workers are often cheated by employers.3 to feel that you have been treated wrongly or unfairly and have not got what you deserve : She felt cheated and used.
feel cheated
She felt cheated and used.4 to manage to avoid death or a very bad situation even though it seemed that you would not be able to : The Italian ace cheated death in a spectacular 100 mph crash.
cheat death/fate etc
The Italian ace cheated death in a spectacular 100 mph crash.5 if you are cheated of victory, success etc, you do not achieve it because of something unfortunate that happens
be cheated of victory/success etc
cheat on somebody
phrasal verbThe magazine claims that almost half of Britain's women cheat on their partners.