VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

cheap shot

noun·Everydayinformaldisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˌtʃiːp ˈʃɒt/
US/ˌtʃiːp ˈʃɑːt/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. nouncountableinformaldisapproving

    An unfair or unkind remark or criticism that attacks someone's weak point when they cannot easily respond.

    Grammar: Countable: a cheap shot, many cheap shots.

    Patterns

    • take a cheap shot at someone
    • a cheap shot about something

    Mentioning his divorce during the debate was a cheap shot.

    She took a cheap shot at her rival's accent.

    The article was full of cheap shots rather than facts.

  2. nouncountablesport

    In sport, a foul or unsporting hit made on a player who is not ready or who cannot protect himself.

    Grammar: Used in contact sports such as hockey and football.

    Patterns

    • a cheap shot on someone

    The defender was suspended for a cheap shot on the goalkeeper.

    The coach complained about a cheap shot after the whistle.

Word forms

pluralcheap shots

Common combinations

take a cheap shot
He took a cheap shot at the new manager's age.
a cheap shot at
That was a cheap shot at her family.
nothing but cheap shots
His speech was nothing but cheap shots.
resort to cheap shots
When she ran out of arguments, she resorted to cheap shots.
deliver a cheap shot
The commentator delivered a cheap shot during the interview.

Synonyms and how they differ

low blow
Low blow is very close in meaning, but it stresses a hurtful unfairness more than a cheap shot.
dig
A dig is a mild, often teasing remark, while a cheap shot is meant to hurt.
insult
An insult can be fair or direct, but a cheap shot suggests a sneaky or unfair attack.
jibe
A jibe is a mocking remark, whereas a cheap shot is judged as unsporting.

Opposites

fair criticismcompliment

Word family

cheap adjective
low in price or quality
shot noun
an attempt, hit or remark
cheaply adverb
at a low price or in a low-quality way

Commonly confused: cheap shot or cheap?

cheap shot vs cheap

Cheap alone usually means low-priced, while cheap shot refers to an unfair attack.

Practice

During the debate, Lena made a ___ about her opponent's stutter, and the audience booed.

Make it your own

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

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words