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cheat

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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

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

cheat on somebody

to have a sexual relationship with a person while you are married to someone else or are having a relationship with someone else It's hard to believe that he cheated on you.

See also: cheat, on

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

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