cheap shot
7
5.2
- noun
- /tʃip ʃɑt/
- Informal
:
comentario desleal
- The politician's remarks were nothing more than cheap shots aimed to undermine his opponent's credibility.
- take cheap shots
- really cheap shot
- kind of cheap shot
I don't want to take cheap shots because I've taken cheap shots, Christ.
- I don't want to take cheap shots because I've taken cheap shots, Christ.
- And so publicly, you know, internally, O'Keefe told staff this would be a cheap shot.
- And, and I'm afraid that's exactly what I would expect from Dean Obed, the liar who has never found a cheap shot he wouldn't take.
Examples
-
That's a cheap shot, Chester, and you know it!
-
His comment about her appearance was just a cheap shot that she couldn't defend against.
-
That was a cheap shot.
-
What a cheap shot, but I really expect no better from you.
Blog text (1) -
I know, a cheap shot, so sue me.
Blog text (29) -
I said it before, and I'll say it again: what a cheap shot by Wade.
Blog text (25) -
Can I just say that I'm sick of flip comments and cheap shots on such a serious subject?
Blog text (5) -
What kind of organization would try to blast Phil's reputation with this cheap shot fired under the radar?
Fiction book (2001) -
She prayed he wouldn't take a cheap shot at her.
Fiction book (1990) -
I should have ignored Stan's cheap shots, treated them with the contempt they deserved, and I would have if they hadn't contained one tiny particle of truth.
Fiction book (2001)
Synonyms
175
5.9
A short angry remark meant to hurt or criticize someone
34
6.3
An insulting remark meant to hurt someone
14
6.4
A short sharp remark meant to hurt or criticize someone
11
7.2
A quick, unfair criticism aimed at an easy target
8
5.5
A remark or action that unfairly hurts someone's feelings
6
7.9
An insulting remark meant to hurt someone
1
9.3
A sharp insulting remark about someone or their actions
1
8.2
A strong attack in words on a person or group
1
7.9
A strong criticism that attacks a person or idea
A very harsh and angry comment meant to hurt someone
A remark that is harsh and meant to hurt someone's feelings
How Harsh
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 is also used for words, because a shot can mean an attack and a cheap one is mean or unfair. Imagine someone making a nasty comment when the other person cannot answer — that's why it means 'an unfair or mean remark'.