cheated about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cheated about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English, as "cheated" usually requires a direct object or a preposition like "on" or "out of" to indicate what the cheating pertains to. Example: "He cheated on the exam."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We now know that carmakers lied and cheated about their emissions and were allowed to sell cars that spew out way more toxic pollution than officially meant to.

The Guardian

(Compass cheated about improvising in one respect; if a scene worked out well, it was kept in the repertory, though it changed from one performance to the next).

The New Yorker

Mr. Bennett, 47, was convicted last June on 42 counts, including securities fraud and laundering at least $1 billion, after he cheated about 10,000 investors of $700 million since 1990.

The New York Times

In Mangochi, where community participation is very weak, parents did not seem pleased with the structures provided, voicing concern that they felt cheated about the provisions made.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I believe they cheat about ages.

The New York Times

Under the age of 40, women cheat about as much as men, according to Dr. Fisher.

The New York Times

But is this an argument over lying and cheating about quick and easy ways to lose weight?

Independent

As selfish entities which have their own interests, the host receivers may cheat about their private information.

Computer Communications

Take your body measurements (bust, waist, widest part of hip) and don't cheat about this or your dress won't fit!

WikiHow

Concerns about cheating, and ideas about how to stop it, have become a preoccupation of the chess world in recent months.

The New York Times

The agency estimates that OPEC countries are cheating by about one million barrels a day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "cheated about" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "deceived regarding" or "misled about" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

The verb "cheat" typically requires a direct object (e.g., "He cheated on the test") or a preposition like "on" or "out of" (e.g., "He cheated her out of her inheritance"). Avoid using "about" directly after "cheated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cheated about" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition. It attempts to describe the act of deceiving someone in relation to something. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct usage of "cheat" typically involves a direct object or prepositions like 'on' or 'out of'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cheated about" is considered grammatically incorrect and is rarely used in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, "cheat" requires a direct object or prepositions like "on" or "out of". While some examples exist, they are insufficient to establish it as correct usage. It is advisable to use alternative phrases like "deceived regarding" or "misled about" for clearer and more grammatically sound communication. Given its grammatical issues and low frequency, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal or professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceived regarding

Replaces "cheated" with a more formal synonym and clarifies the subject of deception with "regarding".

misled concerning

Similar to "deceived regarding", but uses "misled" to emphasize the act of leading someone astray.

tricked about

Uses "tricked" which implies a more cunning form of deception.

defrauded concerning

Suggests a more serious form of cheating, involving financial or legal trickery.

hoodwinked regarding

Implies a clever and deceptive act.

taken advantage of with respect to

Focuses on the exploitation aspect of cheating, highlighting the unfair advantage gained.

manipulated regarding

Emphasizes the control aspect of cheating, suggesting that someone's actions were influenced unfairly.

duped about

Suggests being fooled or deceived, often in a naive or unsuspecting way.

swindled with respect to

Implies a dishonest transaction or scheme where someone is deprived of money or possessions.

felt cheated in relation to

Shifts the focus to the subjective feeling of being cheated, rather than the act itself.

FAQs

What does "cheated about" mean?

The phrase "cheated about" is not standard English and is considered grammatically incorrect. It's usually better to use a more specific and correct phrase, such as "deceived regarding" or "misled about".

How can I use the word "cheat" correctly?

Use "cheat" with a direct object (e.g., "He cheated on the exam") or with prepositions like "on" (e.g., "She cheated on her taxes") or "out of" (e.g., "They cheated him out of his money").

What are some alternatives to "cheated"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "deceived", "misled", "tricked", "defrauded", or "swindled".

Is it ever correct to say someone was "cheated about" something?

While not grammatically standard, the phrase might appear in informal speech. However, in formal writing or speech, it is best to avoid "cheated about" and instead use a more precise phrasing to specify how someone was deceived, such as saying they were "lied to about" or "given false information regarding" something.