cheap shot

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

Noun: 1. An illegal and unsportsmanlike act of unnecessary violence in sports: An action intended to harm an opponent who is off-guard or in a vulnerable position, violating the rules and spirit of fair play. 2. An unnecessarily aggressive and unfair remark directed at a defenseless person: A critical comment that is considered unfair because it attacks someone who cannot defend themselves properly or it exploits a personal weakness.

Usage Examples
  • The player was ejected from the game for taking a cheap shot at the goalie after the whistle had blown.
  • Bringing up his family's financial struggles during the debate was a real cheap shot.
  • The journalist's article was criticized for being a cheap shot at the inexperienced councilor.
  • He didn't engage with the policy; he just took a cheap shot at his opponent's appearance.
Advanced Usage
  • "to take a cheap shot at (someone/something)": This is the most common verb collocation. It means to deliver an unfair attack, either physical or verbal.
    • The comedian took a cheap shot at the actor's well-publicized personal problems.
  • "That's a cheap shot!": A common exclamation used to call out and criticize an action or remark as being unfair.
    • "Hey, that's a cheap shot! I wasn't ready to defend my point yet."
Variants and Related Words
  • Cheap (adj): In this context, it means "unfairly targeting someone's vulnerability" or "of poor quality/unsportsmanlike conduct." The phrase derives from this sense of being underhanded or dishonorable.
Synonyms
  • Low blow: (Idiom) Very similar in meaning, emphasizing an attack that is unfair and hits below the belt, literally or figuratively.
  • Dirty play: (Phrase) Often used in sports for unsportsmanlike conduct.
  • Unfair attack: (Phrase) A more general description.
  • Hit below the belt: (Idiom) Derived from boxing, meaning to use unfair, unscrupulous tactics.
Related Idioms
  • Punching down: (Idiom) The act of criticizing or attacking someone who is less powerful, successful, or influential than you. This is a key concept related to a verbal "cheap shot."
    • His jokes aren't clever; he's just punching down at easy targets.
Noun
  1. an illegal and unsportsmanlike act of unnecessary violence
    • he called a penalty on them when the lineman took a cheap shot at the quarterback
  2. an unnecessarily aggressive and unfair remark directed at a defenseless person

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