A “cheap shot” is an unfair action that violates the rules of engagement and causes excessive damage, often in the form of emotional pain or damage to reputation. This can occur in sports, physical confrontations, and social situations, and is generally considered illegitimate. The term “cheap” refers to the low quality or unworthiness of the action.
A “cheap hit” is an action that exploits a certain vulnerability or exposure to cause excessive damage to another. This harm can take the form of physical pain, but in many cases the phrase instead refers to statements and remarks made to inflict emotional pain or to damage a reputation. An act is generally considered a “cheap shot” if it is unsportsmanlike or unfair.
In any confrontation, there are certain expectations or rules of engagement that opponents are expected to follow. A “cheap shot” will often violate these rules, allowing an attack to catch the defender flat-footed. Even when the letter of the rules is not violated, special circumstances can be exploited and tricks used to violate the spirit of the rules. This is typically seen as cheating and wins achieved using this type of behavior can be considered illegitimate.
Sports activities and other physical confrontations typically have clear rules outlining what actions are permitted. Even in less formal cases, like a school fistfight, there are unwritten rules and points of etiquette that dictate what’s allowed. A maneuver that violates the letter or spirit of these rules will generally be considered a “cheap stroke”.
Social situations can also be vulnerable to cheap tricks. The rules here are rarely formalised, but they are part of the culture and are generally well understood by all parties involved. At times, arguments may have a tendency to deviate from the controversial subject, turning into character assassination designed to discredit the credibility or reputation of the opposition. This is a very common “cheap shot”.
When opponents are clearly misaligned, the weaker opponent might be given slightly more leeway. If an act levels the playing field rather than putting the defender at a crushing disadvantage, and if the severity of the act isn’t too great, the maneuver may not be viewed in a negative light, but rather as a clever tactic. This completely depends on the situation, the tricks employed and often the mindset of the viewer. Viewers may sometimes disagree as to the validity of such acts.
The phrase “cheap shot” might seem slightly confusing, implying that the binding in question should be seen as “good value.” In this idiom, cheap does not mean “cheap”. Cheap is used here to mean “low quality” or “unworthy”, which means that a cheap shot is below the dignity of all parties involved.
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