What Does “Cheat on sb” Mean?
“Cheat on sb” means to be unfaithful to someone, especially in a romantic relationship, by having a secret affair or breaking their trust.
Introduction
The phrase “cheat on sb” is commonly used in English to describe situations where one partner in a relationship is unfaithful to the other. The “sb” stands for “somebody,” meaning the person you are cheating on. Understanding the cheat on sb meaning helps learners talk about relationships and trust issues clearly. It is often used in everyday conversations, movies, and books to describe betrayal or dishonesty in romantic contexts. Knowing how to use this phrasal verb correctly will improve your ability to discuss personal experiences or stories involving relationships.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: cheat on somebody
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to be unfaithful to a partner
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Cheat on sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb, so you cannot put the object between “cheat” and “on.”
- Correct: She cheated on her boyfriend.
- Incorrect: She cheated her boyfriend on.
The pattern is:
- Subject + cheat on + somebody
How to Use “Cheat on sb”?
Use “cheat on sb” when talking about someone being unfaithful in a relationship. It usually refers to romantic or marital infidelity. You can use it in past, present, or future tenses.
- He cheated on his wife last year.
- Are you cheating on me?
- She will never cheat on him.
It is often used with pronouns like “her,” “him,” or “someone.”
Examples
- John cheated on his girlfriend while she was traveling.
- Many people feel hurt when they find out their partner cheated on them.
- She admitted that she had cheated on her husband.
- He was accused of cheating on his fiancée.
- It’s painful to realize someone you love has cheated on you.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She cheated her boyfriend on.
- Correct: She cheated on her boyfriend.
- Incorrect: They cheated on each other.
- Correct: They cheated on each other. (This is correct, but note that “each other” means both were unfaithful.)
- Incorrect: He cheated on with another woman.
- Correct: He cheated on his partner with another woman.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar verbs include “betray,” “be unfaithful,” and “two-time.”
- Cheat on sb specifically means being unfaithful in a romantic relationship.
- Betray can mean breaking trust in any relationship, not just romantic.
- Be unfaithful is a more formal way to say “cheat on sb.”
- Two-time is informal and means to cheat on someone with another partner at the same time.
Common Collocations
- Cheat on a partner
- Cheat on a spouse
- Cheat on a boyfriend/girlfriend
- Cheat on a husband/wife
- Cheat on somebody with someone else
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of cheat on sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I heard Tom cheated on Sarah last month.
Ben: Really? That’s awful. I hope it’s not true.
Anna: Unfortunately, it is. She’s very upset.
Ben: I can understand why. Cheating on someone you love can hurt a lot.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “cheat on”:
- He _______ his girlfriend when she was away.
- Are you sure she never _______ her husband?
- They found out he had _______ his wife with a coworker.
FAQs
- Q: Can “cheat on sb” be used for friendships?
No, it is mainly used for romantic relationships. - Q: Is “cheat on sb” formal or informal?
It is informal but common in everyday English. - Q: Can I say “cheat someone on”?
No, the correct form is “cheat on someone.” - Q: What is the difference between “cheat on sb” and “betray sb”?
“Cheat on sb” is about being unfaithful romantically; “betray” is more general. - Q: Is “cheat on sb” always about physical affairs?
Usually yes, but it can also include emotional unfaithfulness.
