cheap shot
noun
1
: an act of deliberate roughness against a defenseless opponent especially in a contact sport
taking cheap shots at the quarterback
2
: a critical statement that takes unfair advantage of a known weakness of the target
Examples of cheap shot in a Sentence
He took a cheap shot at the quarterback.
a cheap shot to the back of the head
The remark about his weight was a cheap shot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Republican candidates have grown used to media moderators taking cheap shots intended to create viral moments of GOP embarrassment.
—
James Freeman, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2024
But Koy quickly squandered that win, alienating the pop star with a cheap shot about her presence at NFL games.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Jan. 2024
Unfortunately, not all of Flynt’s fellow players appreciate his presence, including one who injures him with a cheap shot that results in a serious neck injury.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2023
Eschewing cheap shots, McBride favors a careful, winding excavation – reaching into history for the whys and wherefores of his novels’ crowded casts, while delivering whopper stories with electric finales.
—Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023
Dan Patrick’s cheap shot Getting to this point was a miracle.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2023
However, this bar remains a staple in the neighborhood, known for their burgers, cheap beers, and cheap shots — located near Wayne State University in Detroit's Cass Corridor.
—Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press, 31 July 2023
The Women’s World Cup has been an admirably clean affair, so far, with few if any cheap shots.
—Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2023
With that star power comes an easy cheap shot: Why should anybody care about a bunch of privileged elites whining about a dream job?
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 July 2023
James Freeman, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2024
But Koy quickly squandered that win, alienating the pop star with a cheap shot about her presence at NFL games.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Jan. 2024
Unfortunately, not all of Flynt’s fellow players appreciate his presence, including one who injures him with a cheap shot that results in a serious neck injury.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2023
Eschewing cheap shots, McBride favors a careful, winding excavation – reaching into history for the whys and wherefores of his novels’ crowded casts, while delivering whopper stories with electric finales.
—Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023
Dan Patrick’s cheap shot Getting to this point was a miracle.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2023
However, this bar remains a staple in the neighborhood, known for their burgers, cheap beers, and cheap shots — located near Wayne State University in Detroit's Cass Corridor.
—Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press, 31 July 2023
The Women’s World Cup has been an admirably clean affair, so far, with few if any cheap shots.
—Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2023
With that star power comes an easy cheap shot: Why should anybody care about a bunch of privileged elites whining about a dream job?
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cheap shot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cheap shot
Cite this Entry
“Cheap shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheap%20shot. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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