cheat out of

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To trick (someone) into giving something up; to unfairly deprive someone of (something).

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Terence introduces a flatterer talking to a coxcomb, whom he cheats out of a livelihood, and a third person on the stage makes on him this pleasant remark, 'This fellow has an art of making fools madmen.'

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “cheat out of” mean?

To trick (someone) into giving something up; to unfairly deprive someone of (something).

Is “cheat out of” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.