cheat myself

USAGE SUMMARY

'cheat myself' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a situation in which one deliberately deceives oneself in order to achieve a desired outcome. For example, "I told myself I could study later, but I knew I was just trying to cheat myself out of doing it now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I refuse to cheat myself".

The Guardian - Music

He thinks, "I am not going to cheat myself or God," and he says to the priest, "It would be no good my promising that, Father".

The New Yorker

I still have to improve and spend more time in the gym, I never used to spend all this time in the gym, I used to cheat myself.

The Guardian - Sport

One respondent to Kirton's survey said: I feel that Sodexo have lied to me, have tried to cheat myself and colleagues out of redundancy packages and have created total uncertainty in many areas of my working and private life.

The Guardian

I love this sport; it has taught me a lot of life's lessons and I don't want to cheat myself".

Huffington Post

Yes, I risk that they may walk away, but I've found that if I blend the truth in order to have sex or a date, I ultimately cheat myself.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It represented, in moments of desperation, the possibility of finally cheating myself out of exile.

The New Yorker

And in doing so I cheated myself out of four days of free, live snooker.

Independent

In the process of cheating on you, I have cheated myself".

The New York Times - Sports

"That would be cheating myself, because I'm not getting paid to work".

The New York Times

But when I thought of putting his teaching into practice, I felt that I would only be cheating myself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cheat myself", ensure the context clearly indicates the area in which you are compromising your potential or deceiving yourself. Be specific about what you are losing or missing out on.

Common error

Avoid using "cheat myself" when you intend to describe deceiving others. This phrase is specifically about internal actions that disadvantage you, not external acts of dishonesty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cheat myself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of cheating is directed back to the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, indicating that one is depriving themselves of something valuable or undermining their own efforts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cheat myself" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of depriving oneself of something valuable or undermining one's own potential. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing it frequently appears in News & Media contexts. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it effectively conveys a sense of regret or self-awareness regarding self-sabotaging behaviors. Related phrases like "shortchange myself" or "undermine myself" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. Remember to use it when describing internal actions that disadvantage yourself, not when referring to deceiving others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceive myself

Focuses on the act of misleading oneself, similar to "cheat myself" but with a stronger emphasis on the deception aspect.

deceive myself

Focuses on misleading oneself to avoid reality or responsibility.

mislead myself

Similar to "deceive myself", but suggests a less intentional form of self-deception.

shortchange myself

Highlights the idea of not giving oneself the full benefit or opportunity, akin to cheating oneself out of something valuable.

delude myself

Implies a stronger form of self-deception, where one holds onto false beliefs despite evidence to the contrary.

betray myself

Emphasizes a violation of one's own values or principles, suggesting a deeper level of self-harm than simply cheating.

undermine myself

Focuses on actions that weaken one's own position or efforts, implying a subtle form of self-sabotage.

fool myself

Implies believing something untrue about oneself or a situation, leading to negative consequences.

deprive myself

Emphasizes the act of withholding something beneficial from oneself, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

rob myself

Suggests a loss of something valuable due to one's own actions, often implying a sense of regret or unfairness.

FAQs

What does "cheat myself" mean?

The phrase "cheat myself" means to deprive oneself of something valuable, often by making choices that seem beneficial in the short term but are ultimately detrimental. It implies a form of self-deception where one compromises their own potential or well-being.

How can I use "cheat myself" in a sentence?

You might say, "By skipping practice, I'm only "shortchanging myself"," or "If I don't invest in my education, I'll ultimately "cheat myself" out of better opportunities."

What are some alternatives to saying "cheat myself"?

Alternatives include phrases like "shortchange myself", "undermine myself", or "betray myself", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use the phrase "cheat myself"?

Yes, the phrase "cheat myself" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It follows the standard reflexive pronoun structure where the action of cheating is directed back at the subject.