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