a crib sheet

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableinformal

   A small piece of paper with secret notes used to help someone cheat on a test.

   Grammar: Countable; can be used with 'a' or in the plural: 'a crib sheet', 'two crib sheets'.

   Patterns

   • a crib sheet for something
   • use a crib sheet
   • make a crib sheet

   She hid a crib sheet in her sleeve during the exam.

   The teacher caught him using a crib sheet and took his paper away.

   Making a crib sheet is a common way to cheat, but it is risky.

2. 2nouncountable

   A short set of notes that gives the main facts about a subject, used for quick reference.

   Grammar: Countable; often followed by 'on' or 'for' to show the subject.

   Patterns

   • a crib sheet on something
   • a crib sheet for something
   • give someone a crib sheet

   The manager gave us a crib sheet on the new sales figures.

   I made a crib sheet of the key dates for the history test.

   This crib sheet summarizes the main points of the report.

Word forms

Common combinations

use a crib sheet

Some students use a crib sheet to remember formulas.

make a crib sheet

He made a crib sheet the night before the exam.

a crib sheet for the test

She prepared a crib sheet for the test but didn't need it.

hide a crib sheet

He tried to hide a crib sheet under his desk.

a crib sheet on grammar

The website offers a crib sheet on English grammar.

Synonyms and how they differ

cheat sheet

More common in American English for a secret test aid; also used for a summary.

notes

A general word for written information; 'crib sheet' is more specific and often implies secrecy or quick reference.

Word family

crib verb

To copy someone's work dishonestly, especially in a test.

Commonly confused: a crib sheet or cheat sheet?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a crib sheet”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words