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cheat out of

B2 informal inseparable transitive

To dishonestly take something from someone or prevent them from getting something they deserve.

In plain English

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

What does "cheat out of" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

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
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."

inseparable
Usage tip

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.

Words that pair with "cheat out of"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

money inheritance victory prize rights opportunity

How to conjugate "cheat out of"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

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

Hear "cheat out of" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "cheat out of" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

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