got swindled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got swindled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been deceived or cheated, typically in a financial context. Example: "After investing in that shady scheme, I realized I got swindled out of my savings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Enter Amanda, a law student at New York University and, as it happens, one of the few remaining Manahata, the Lenape Indian tribe that supposedly got swindled nearly four centuries ago.

The New York Times - Books

My grandmother had lost her own dacha in the nineties, after Uncle Lev got swindled out of his share in a geological-exploration company he'd founded with some fellow-scientists.

The New Yorker

After leaving office, in 1877, he moved to New York, eager to make his fortune, and got swindled by a plausible con man, losing all the money he had made.

The New Yorker

I was 10 when my parents got swindled into getting Foxtel.

Vice

But it's also the sort of decision that one might look back on in a few years as the moment you got swindled".

Huffington Post

"If you get a call to go to a certain place in the middle of the night to pick up stolen goods and it turns out the stolen goods don't show up but the cops show up," he added, "I think you're going to have a very weak story saying, 'Well, I got swindled here.'".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

How can you be sure you're not getting swindled?

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Depending on who is speaking, a bill approved by the Senate on Thursday to make it easier for small companies to raise money will either improve the economy by creating jobs or cause unwitting investors to get swindled.

The New York Times

Experts worry that some adults are getting swindled.

Forbes

I call that getting swindled and pimped, shit.

Huffington Post

The meek getting swindled for the benefit of the powerful.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "got swindled", ensure the context clearly indicates who perpetrated the swindle and what was lost. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "got swindled" without specifying the perpetrator. For example, instead of "I got swindled", say "I got swindled by a fake investment scheme" to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got swindled" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence was the recipient of a dishonest or fraudulent action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to describe being cheated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got swindled" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood way to express that someone has been cheated or deceived. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While it's generally neutral in register, more formal contexts might opt for alternatives like "was defrauded". Usage analysis reveals its prominence in news and media sources. When using "got swindled", ensure clarity by specifying who committed the swindle and what was lost, preventing ambiguity and adding impact. Semantically related phrases include "was conned", "was cheated", and "was defrauded", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was conned

Replaces "got swindled" with a more concise term for being tricked.

was cheated

Uses a more general term for being treated unfairly or dishonestly.

was defrauded

Emphasizes the illegal or criminal nature of the deception.

was deceived

Highlights the element of being misled or given false information.

fell victim to a scam

Focuses on the scheme or fraudulent activity that caused the loss.

was taken advantage of

Highlights the exploitation of vulnerability or trust.

was duped

Implies foolishness or naivety in falling for the deception.

was bilked

Suggests being cheated out of money or valuables.

was fleeced

Implies being thoroughly robbed or exploited.

was hoodwinked

Focuses on the cleverness or cunning used in the deception.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "got swindled"?

To say someone "got swindled" means they were cheated or deceived, typically out of money or possessions. It implies a deliberate act of dishonesty.

How can I use "got swindled" in a sentence?

You can use "got swindled" in a sentence like, "He "got swindled" out of his life savings by a con artist" or "My parents "got swindled" into buying a timeshare they couldn't afford."

What are some alternatives to saying someone "got swindled"?

Alternatives to "got swindled" include "was conned", "was cheated", "was defrauded", or "fell victim to a scam". Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the nature of the deception.

Is it more formal to say someone "was defrauded" rather than "got swindled"?

Yes, "was defrauded" is generally considered more formal than "got swindled". "Got swindled" is more conversational, while "was defrauded" is appropriate for legal or business contexts.