cheap penalty

USAGE SUMMARY

"cheap penalty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a penalty or punishment that is not severe. For example, "The parents agreed to give their children a cheap penalty for breaking the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Rugby

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Tucker snatched the momentum back for the Leafs at 8 53 after Vaclav Prospal was assessed a cheap penalty for interference near Joseph's crease while the Senators were in possession of the puck.

The New York Times - Sports

We gave away a cheap penalty, those two goals then affected everything.

BBC

It could have been quite easy to give a cheap penalty away which would have allowed Scottish to set up their maul, which we knew was a danger.

BBC

Ross Draper conceded a cheap penalty before Gary Warren headed into his own net to hand Motherwell a 2-0 lead.

BBC

But Pala went over and Mounis capitalised after Kyle Amor gave away a cheap penalty to give the hosts two tries in quick succession, signalling the start of a Catalans fightback.

BBC

Giants second-rower Brett Ferres gave away a cheap penalty after two minutes, from which Warrington worked the ball out wide to Monaghan to score the game's opening try.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

6 Eoin Reddan: Conceded a few cheap penalties and was unable to turn in a performance reminiscent as the man he has replaced, Conor Murray.

Independent

November 3, 2013 Meanwhile, Tennessee are moving well on offense in St Louis - looking at first-and-10 on the Rams' 15 after a nice run by Chris Johnson, and then a couple of cheap penalties.

The Guardian - Sport

"We gave them field positions with cheap penalties and then those penalties build pressure.

BBC

But we gave away a couple of cheap penalties and that was a bit frustrating".

BBC

We started off the second half really, really well, just giving away some cheap penalties or not completing after a kick-off was poor.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cheap penalty", ensure the context clearly indicates why the penalty is considered minor or easily avoidable. Avoid using it when describing severe or deliberate fouls.

Common error

Avoid using "cheap penalty" to describe a foul that caused a significant injury or had a major impact on the game's outcome, as it can downplay the seriousness of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cheap penalty" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "cheap" modifies the noun "penalty". According to Ludwig, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English. The word "cheap" here implies the penalty was minor, easily avoidable, or perhaps even undeserved.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cheap penalty" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a minor, avoidable, or questionable penalty, particularly in sports contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not exceptionally common, it appears frequently enough in news and media sources to be considered recognizable. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with its connotation of a penalty being insignificant or easily prevented. Alternative phrases like "unnecessary penalty" or "avoidable foul" may be suitable substitutes depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnecessary penalty

Indicates that the penalty was not required or justified.

needless foul

Similar to unnecessary penalty, but with a slightly stronger emphasis.

pointless penalty

Highlights the lack of any strategic advantage gained from committing the foul.

avoidable foul

Focuses on the preventability of the infraction.

foolish penalty

Suggests the penalty was due to a lack of judgment or care.

soft penalty

Emphasizes the leniency or perceived lack of justification for the penalty.

minor infraction

Highlights the insignificance of the penalty.

insignificant foul

Underscores that the impact or consequence of the penalty is small.

easily conceded penalty

Highlights the ease with which the penalty was given away.

negligent foul

Emphasizes the carelessness that led to the penalty.

FAQs

How to use "cheap penalty" in a sentence?

You can use "cheap penalty" to describe a minor or easily avoidable foul in sports. For example: "The team conceded a "cheap penalty" in the final minutes of the game."

What can I say instead of "cheap penalty"?

You can use alternatives like "unnecessary penalty", "minor infraction", or "avoidable foul" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cheap penalty" or "expensive penalty"?

"Cheap penalty" is used to describe a minor or easily avoidable penalty, while "expensive penalty" is less common but could refer to a penalty with significant consequences. The choice depends on the specific situation you're describing.

What's the difference between "cheap penalty" and "soft penalty"?

"Cheap penalty" often implies the penalty was unnecessary or easily avoidable, while "soft penalty" suggests the penalty was questionable or lacked strong justification. Both describe penalties that are not considered severe, but their emphasis differs.