What Does “Cheat sb of sth” Mean?
“Cheat sb of sth” means to unfairly take something valuable from someone, often money or possessions.
Introduction
The phrase “cheat sb of sth” is a common English phrasal verb used to describe situations where someone is tricked or treated unfairly to lose something important. Here, “sb” stands for somebody, and “sth” stands for something. The phrase often appears in contexts involving dishonesty or fraud. Understanding the cheat sb of sth meaning helps learners recognize when someone has been wronged or deprived unjustly. This expression is useful in both spoken and written English, especially in conversations about scams, unfair deals, or losing possessions through deceit. Knowing how to use this phrase correctly can improve your communication skills and help you describe unfair situations clearly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: cheat somebody of something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-intermediate)
- Short meaning: to unfairly take something from someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrasal verb “cheat sb of sth” is transitive, meaning it requires a direct object (somebody) and an object of possession (something). It is inseparable, so the words cannot be split.
Common sentence patterns include:
- Subject + cheat + somebody + of + something
- He cheated me of my money.
Note: You cannot say “cheat of somebody something” or separate the phrase.
How to Use “Cheat sb of sth”?
Use “cheat sb of sth” when describing a situation where someone loses something important through unfair or dishonest means. It often refers to money, property, or rights taken unfairly.
For example, if a person sells a product but does not deliver it, they may be said to have “cheated the buyer of their money.”
This phrase is mostly used in negative contexts, highlighting wrongdoing or injustice.
Examples
- He cheated me of my inheritance by hiding the will.
- The company was accused of cheating customers of their deposits.
- She felt cheated of her chance to win after the competition was canceled unfairly.
- They tried to cheat us of our money by selling fake tickets.
- Don’t let anyone cheat you of your rights.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: He cheated of me my money.
Correct: He cheated me of my money. - Incorrect: They cheated me from my property.
Correct: They cheated me of my property. - Incorrect: She cheated me the money.
Correct: She cheated me of the money.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include:
- Take sth from sb: A neutral phrase meaning to remove or get something, without implying dishonesty.
- Rob sb of sth: Means to steal something by force or threat, stronger and more physical than “cheat sb of sth.”
- Swindle sb out of sth: Similar to “cheat sb of sth,” but often used for more complex frauds.
The key difference is that “cheat sb of sth” emphasizes unfairness or trickery rather than physical theft.
Common Collocations
- Cheat sb of their money
- Cheat sb of their property
- Cheat sb of their rights
- Cheat sb of an opportunity
- Cheat sb of inheritance
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of cheat sb of sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I heard John lost a lot of money recently.
Ben: Yes, someone cheated him of his savings in a scam.
Anna: That’s terrible! How did it happen?
Ben: He trusted a fake investment company. They cheated him of everything he had.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrasal verb:
They __________ me ________ my watch during the market.
a) cheated / of
b) cheated / from
c) cheated / on
FAQs
Q1: Can “cheat sb of sth” be used in positive situations?
No, it is always used to describe unfair or dishonest actions.
Q2: Is “cheat sb of sth” separable?
No, the phrase is inseparable. You cannot insert words between “cheat” and “of.”
Q3: What kind of things can someone be cheated of?
Usually money, property, rights, opportunities, or possessions.
Q4: Is “cheat sb of sth” formal or informal?
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Q5: How is “cheat sb of sth” different from “rob sb”?
“Cheat sb of sth” involves trickery or unfairness, while “rob sb” involves stealing, often by force.
