Quick tips: cheat vs. cheat on

Zach McLaughlin

What’s the difference between cheating someone and cheating on someone? It can be a big one!


Basically, to cheat means to act dishonestly or unfairly, but there are different ways to cheat.


When someone cheats someone else, they deceive, trick, or scam them, often (but not always) for financial gain. In this case, they typically cheat them out of something, such as money.


Ex. That company cheated their clients out of millions of dollars.


When someone cheats on someone else, they are romantically unfaithful. They cheat on their partnerand cheat with someone else. 


Ex. My partner was cheating on me with my best friend.


You may also encounter other words following cheat as well, such as “Several students cheated on/in the test” (on is more common in American English) or “He tends to cheat at cards.” One can cheat on some kind of test or cheat at some kind of activity/game. 


A person who cheats can be called a cheat or a cheater (same meaning).
This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

Comments (0)

Login to Comment Log in »
Premium ribbon

from:

in:

Categorie insegnate

Language Fluency

Inglese   Madrelingua
Giapponese   Insufficiente

Le rubriche di Zach McLaughlin più lette

  • Inglese

    Surprise!

    Photo: DH News TorontoOne of the most surprising things in Canada is the spring weather! Having liv...

    Zach McLaughlin

    Zach McLaughlin

    0
    7093
    May 31, 2021
  • Inglese

    A new phase of life for students and teachers

    Photo: Gabriel Benois on UnsplashFor many people, it feels like life is on pause because of the cor...

    Zach McLaughlin

    Zach McLaughlin

    0
    6774
    Mar 22, 2021
  • Inglese

    My Bucket List

    Photo by Heather McKean on Unsplash   My bucket list is a fairly short and affordable one! Short-t...

    Zach McLaughlin

    Zach McLaughlin

    0
    6676
    Jul 20, 2021
  • Inglese

    Cheers!

    Without a doubt, beer is my favourite alcoholic beverage! It wasn’t always that way, though… My mo...

    Zach McLaughlin

    Zach McLaughlin

    0
    6326
    Jun 7, 2021
« Tutte le rubriche

Got a question? Click to Chat