The phrasal verb "cheat on" is predominantly used in informal contexts and is commonplace in conversational English. It is most often used to describe the act of being unfaithful in a romantic relationship, for example, "He's cheating on his girlfriend," but can also apply to scenarios involving deceit or dishonesty more generally, such as in academic or professional settings. In the context of relationships, it carries a strong emotional charge and significant societal judgment. Due to its informal nature, "cheat on" is less likely to appear in formal writing, where more formal terms like "infidelity" or "academic dishonesty" may be used instead. The emotional and morally laden connotations make "cheat on" particularly potent in casual conversation, media, and interpersonal communication, often evoking sympathy, surprise, or disapproval from the audience.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To be unfaithful in a committed relationship.
She discovered that her partner was cheating on her with someone from his office.
He felt guilty for cheating on his girlfriend while he was away at college.
2. To act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a test or competition.
He was caught cheating on the exam by copying answers from his neighbor's paper.
The athlete was banned for cheating on the race by taking performance-enhancing drugs.