had the cheek

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had the cheek" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express that someone has the audacity or boldness to do something considered inappropriate or disrespectful. Example: "She had the cheek to ask for a raise after being late every day." Alternative expressions include "had the nerve" and "had the gall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It even had the cheek to propose increasing its dividend.UBS will be smarting.

The Economist

"Apparently he even had the cheek to say he scored a goal in the match.

The Guardian - Sport

He then had the cheek to ask Levi, over dinner, why he was being so quiet.

The Guardian - Books

JK It even had the cheek to say "bollocks to Newcastle".

The Guardian - Sport

And he had the cheek to call us "a roomful of gunpowder".

The Guardian - Books

He even had the cheek to offer a pact with Labour in the new Parliament.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

He has — the cheek of it!

The New Yorker

Some of these, as Izambard once put it, could have "the cheek to be charming".

The New Yorker

Then she has the cheek to get papped at Simon Cowell's birthday party!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We, as England fans have the cheek to call ourselves loyal supporters?

The Guardian - Sport

Then he has the cheek to complain about travel writers who think they're the story.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with the infinitive "to" (e.g. "had the cheek to ask") to clearly define the action being criticized.

Common error

Do not confuse "had the cheek" with phrases like "turned the other cheek". While both involve the word "cheek", the former refers to impudence and boldness, whereas the latter refers to pacifism and forgiveness. Using one for the other will completely reverse the intended meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had the cheek" serves as a specialized idiomatic verb phrase used to criticize an action. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it almost always precedes an infinitive clause that specifies the offensive behavior. It functions as a way to frame the following action as socially inappropriate or surprisingly bold.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Lifestyle & Opinion

10%

Literary Fiction

5%

Less common in

Academic Writing

2%

Legal Documents

1%

Technical Manuals

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "had the cheek" is a robust and effective idiom for describing impudence. Analysis of Ludwig AI data shows that it is a favorite among journalists for injecting character and judgment into reporting, particularly when describing hypocritical or surprisingly rude behavior. While it shares semantic space with phrases like "had the nerve", it carries a specific nuance of being "shameless". It is grammatically versatile but performs best in narrative or opinion-driven contexts where the writer's perspective on the subject's behavior is clear. Whether you are reading The Guardian or The Economist, you will find this phrase used to call out those who act with a surprising lack of humility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had the nerve

Virtually interchangeable and slightly more common in American English.

had the gall

Implies a stronger sense of bitterness or deep indignation.

had the audacity

Higher register and more formal than the original phrase.

had the brass neck

A more informal, British-specific idiom emphasizing lack of shame.

had the effrontery

A very formal and literary alternative describing unblushing impudence.

had the temerity

Suggests excessive confidence or rashness in a formal context.

had the insolence

Focuses more specifically on the rude and disrespectful nature of the act.

had the guts

Shifts the focus from impudence to raw courage or bravery.

had the face

An older, more archaic way of expressing the same sentiment.

had the stones

A much more informal and potentially vulgar way to denote boldness.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "had the cheek"?

Depending on your desired tone, you can use alternatives like "had the nerve", "had the audacity" or the more informal "had the gall".

Is "had the cheek" considered formal English?

It is generally considered a neutral to informal idiom. While it appears frequently in high-quality journalism like The Guardian or The Economist, it might be too idiomatic for strictly academic or technical scientific reports where "had the temerity" would be more appropriate.

What does it mean if someone "has the cheek" to do something?

It means the person is being bold, disrespectful or impudent in a way that is surprising or annoying. It is similar to saying they "had the effrontery" to act in such a manner.

What is the difference between "had the cheek" and "had the guts"?

While both refer to boldness, "had the cheek" implies a lack of respect or shame, whereas "had the guts" is usually a compliment regarding someone's courage.