you are a cheater

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformaldisapproving

   a direct accusation that the person being spoken to acts dishonestly to win or gain an advantage.

   Grammar: Fixed phrase: used as a complete sentence. 'You are a cheater' can be shortened to 'You cheater!' in informal speech.

   Patterns

   • You are a cheater!
   • You're a cheater.

   You are a cheater! You moved the piece when I wasn't looking.

   She shouted, 'You are a cheater!' after he copied her answers.

   He called his opponent a cheater when the game ended unfairly.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformaldisapproving

   an accusation that someone is unfaithful to a romantic partner.

   Grammar: Fixed phrase: used as a complete sentence, often in angry or hurt speech.

   Patterns

   • You are a cheater!
   • You're a cheater.

   You are a cheater! I saw you with someone else last night.

   She told him, 'You are a cheater,' and walked out.

   He denied it, but everyone called him a cheater.

Common combinations

call someone a cheater

Don't call someone a cheater unless you have proof.

a cheater in a game

The other players refused to play with a cheater in the game.

a cheater in a relationship

She said he was a cheater in their relationship.

Synonyms and how they differ

cheat

More common in British English and slightly less direct than 'cheater'.

fraud

A stronger, more formal word for someone who deceives people, often for money.

Word family

cheat verb

To act dishonestly to win or gain an advantage.

cheating noun

The act of behaving dishonestly.

cheater noun

A person who cheats; the base of this phrase.

Commonly confused: you are a cheater or cheater?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “you are a cheater”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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