we've been robbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we've been robbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone has been a victim of theft or has lost something valuable, often in a figurative sense as well. Example: "After the unexpected price increase, we feel like we've been robbed by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"People have joked over the years, 'We've been robbed by Rob da Bank', but I have a clear conscience," he says.

Independent

We've been robbed of Michael O'Connor yesterday when he had to pull out and Rob Neilsen, he had to pull out with a back spasm.

BBC

"We've been robbed!" he said.

The New Yorker

"We've been robbed of three points by two decisions," fumed Paul Buckle afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

"We feel like we've been robbed of everything we've ever worked for," he says.

The Guardian

Yes, in the nine years that we've been robbed of subsequent seasons of The Comeback, life has imitated art.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"We have been robbed of the police.

The New York Times

"We realized we had been robbed blind," one librarian said.

The New Yorker

We feel as if we have been robbed of our heritage".

The New York Times

"We have been robbed of seeing his face," he told Sky News.

The Guardian

We have been robbed of the chance to show what is good, beautiful and generous about us.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we've been robbed" in a figurative sense, ensure the context clearly indicates what has been lost or taken away. For example: "We've been robbed of our chance to compete because of the unfair ruling."

Common error

Avoid using "we've been robbed" in situations where there is no actual loss or deprivation. Overusing it can diminish its impact. For example, saying "we've been robbed" because a favorite show was cancelled is an exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we've been robbed" functions primarily as a statement expressing that the speaker and their group have been victims of theft or loss. This can be literal, as in a physical robbery, or figurative, referring to a loss of opportunity or fair treatment. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we've been robbed" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a sense of loss or injustice, according to Ludwig. It can refer to literal theft or a figurative deprivation. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and can carry emotional weight, though its register is generally neutral. If you need a substitute, consider "we've been cheated" or "we've been defrauded" for circumstances that are not literally about property being stolen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we've been cheated

Focuses on deception and unfairness rather than literal theft.

we've been swindled

Highlights being tricked out of something valuable, often money.

we've been defrauded

Emphasizes a financial crime or deceitful practice.

we've been taken advantage of

Focuses on being exploited or treated unfairly.

we've been had

An informal way to say we've been tricked or deceived.

we've been conned

Similar to swindled but implies a more elaborate deception.

we've been fleeced

Suggests being overcharged or exploited financially.

we've been duped

Implies being easily tricked or fooled.

we've been bilked

Similar to defrauded but may involve smaller amounts of money.

we've been shortchanged

Implies receiving less than what was deserved or expected, either literally or figuratively.

FAQs

What does "we've been robbed" mean?

It means that something valuable has been stolen from us, either literally through theft, or figuratively, such as a lost opportunity or unfair treatment.

What can I say instead of "we've been robbed"?

You can use alternatives like "we've been cheated", "we've been defrauded", or "we've been taken advantage of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we've been robbed" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "we've been robbed" can sound informal or emotionally charged. In formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "we experienced a loss" or "we were subjected to unfair treatment".

When is it appropriate to use "we've been robbed" figuratively?

It's appropriate when expressing a strong feeling of being deprived of something important, like an opportunity, a victory, or a fair outcome. Ensure the figurative usage is clear and relevant to the situation.