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cheat out of

B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To trick someone so that they don't get something they should have — like stealing their money or prize using lies.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To use deception or trickery to take money, property, or rights from someone.

"The con artist cheated elderly residents out of their savings by posing as a financial adviser."

""He cheated them out of their hard-earned money.""

— Common journalistic phrasing; widely attested in news reports on fraud cases, e.g. BBC News
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To unfairly deny someone an opportunity, experience, or outcome they deserved.

"The last-minute rule change cheated the team out of their well-earned promotion."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Always takes a person as the object of 'cheat' and the thing taken as the object of 'of.' Widely used in both legal/financial contexts and everyday grievances. Can be used hyperbolically.

Commonly used with

money inheritance victory prize rights opportunity

Forms

Base
cheat out of
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cheats out of
he/she/it
Past simple
cheated out of
yesterday
Past participle
cheated out of
have + pp
-ing form
cheating out of
continuous

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