cheap shot
9
5.6
- noun
- /tʃip ʃɑt/
- NSFW
:
golpe bajo
- After receiving a cheap shot from his opponent, he argued that it was unacceptable behavior.
- take a cheap shot
- throw cheap shots
- give a cheap shot
Examples
-
JR Smith threw a cheap shot.
Blog text (21) -
That was a cheap shot, Stanton.
-
That was a cheap shot.
-
That was just a cheap shot.
-
That was a cheap shot.
-
Bogdanski hit Nate Scarboro with a cheap shot.
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It was clearly a cheap shot; I hope the ACC Office punishes this crap.
Blog text (5) -
They were more likely to lose honorably while being pounded by cheap shots than to sink to the level of their opponents.
Blog text (20) -
The referee penalized the player for delivering a cheap shot during the match.
-
Fans were outraged when they witnessed a cheap shot that left the star player injured.
Synonyms
11
7.2
A quick, unfair criticism aimed at an easy target
5
7.2
An unexpected unfair punch or sudden hurtful remark without warning
Antonyms
16
3.0
Honest behavior that treats everyone the same and follows the rules in sport or competition
How Unfair
- Specialized
378
4.5
- NSFW
9
5.6
46
5.3
216
1.8
7
4.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components give clear cues: 'cheap' can imply low, mean, or unfair, and 'shot' can mean an attack or critical remark, so the combination suggests a low/unfair attack and a B1 learner who knows both words could likely infer an insulting or unfair remark. However, the meanings are somewhat figurative and colloquial (shift of 'cheap' from cost to moral lowliness, and 'shot' as a verbal attack), so the exact pragmatic nuance ('directed at someone unable to defend themselves' or being uncalled-for) is not fully predictable without exposure.
Etymology
Cheap shot comes from fighting and sports, where a shot is a hit and a cheap one is low or unfair. Picture a player striking someone after the whistle or when they cannot defend themselves — that's why it means 'an unfair or dirty hit'.