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to cheek

to cheek

3 8.6
To speak rudely to someone
  • verb
  • /tʃik/
  • Informal
translation icon : faltar al respeto a
  • All right, you cheek-tonguer, you asked for it.

Examples

  • Only about a hundred people saw you cheek to goddamn cheek with him all night, Thelma! Who's gonna believe that?!

    Fiction book (1991)
  • You'll cheek me once too often, Boarst.

  • Somebody be yelling cheek that seat, cheek that seat.

  • cheeking me.

  • If you keep cheeking your teacher, you might get in trouble.

  • She couldn't believe how he cheeked her during the meeting.

  • It's not polite to cheek your elders, no matter how frustrated you feel.

Synonyms

to insult
vsto cheek
  • Offensive
543 2.1

To say or do something rude to someone

is broader and can include mere rudeness rather than scorn
to spit
vsto cheek
  • Informal
99 6.3

To say words quickly and angrily to show strong dislike

is rude speech but does not always include anger or contempt
to abuse
vsto cheek
  • Offensive
95 4.2

To say rude or insulting words to someone to hurt them

is more general rude speech and may not use offensive language
to diss
vsto cheek
  • Offensive
62 8.4

To speak rudely to someone to show no respect, often in public

is broader and covers private rude speech as well as public remarks
to mouth off
vsto cheek
  • Informal
28 8.3

To speak rudely and loudly to a person in charge

is general rude speech and may be quieter or less angry
to sass
vsto cheek
  • Informal
16 8.4

Answer a person in charge in a rude, cheeky way

is general rude speech and not only responses to authority
to give (someone) lip
vsto cheek
  • Informal
8 8.4

Talk back to someone in a rude way

is general rude speech, not specifically answering or talking back
to affront
vsto cheek
5 7.1

To insult someone openly or show no respect

is a more general, everyday rude way to speak without formality
to lip off
vsto cheek
  • Informal
1 8.9

Talk back rudely to someone in charge

is a broader rude address that may not involve loud backtalk
to sauce
vsto cheek
  • Informal
1 9.1

To speak or act rudely to someone

is rude or disrespectful but can be less playful or impudent
to speak with venom
vsto cheek
7.8

Say angry, cruel things about someone

is rude or disrespectful but lacks strong bitterness or personal spite
to act like a dickface
vsto cheek
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave very rudely and make other people angry or upset

is focused on rude speech, not general extremely offensive behaviour

Idioms

Choose not to fight back after someone hurts or insults you

tongue-in-cheek
  • Informal
15 7.4

Said jokingly and not meant to be taken seriously

tongue-in-cheek
  • Informal
2 6.8

Joking and not meant to be taken seriously

cheek by jowl
  • Informal
1 6.5

Very close together with little space between them

To be rude enough to do something that shows no respect

9.9

A strong feeling of surprise and anger at someone's rude, bold act

Compounds

cheek muscle
  • Specialized
4.2

A part of the face that flattens the cheek and pulls back the corner of the mouth

cheek pouch
  • Specialized
7.2

A pocket inside the mouth of some animals used to store food temporarily

A cheek that looks pink from heat, exercise, embarrassment, or strong feeling

nether cheek
  • Informal
9.9

One of the two rounded parts at the back of the body used for sitting

How Rude

to insult
  • Offensive
543 2.1
affront
28 7.4
to cheek
  • Informal
3 8.6
to slight
  • Offensive
12 6.1
to snub
7 6.3

Surface Forms

cheek infinitive
cheeked past
cheeked past participle
cheeking present participle
cheeks third person singular

Etymology

Cheek as a verb comes from the noun cheek meaning 'rudeness'. To cheek someone is to speak to them with 'rudeness' or disrespect.