cheap shot
Fighting really dirty
A cheap shot is an unfair or unsporting attack, whether physical or verbal.
In sports, it's a blow delivered when the opponent is vulnerable or unprotected: He took a cheap shot after the whistle.
More broadly, any cruel remark or tactic that exploits weakness rather than engaging fairly: Bringing up her divorce was a cheap shot.
Offensive remark or action
sneer · taunt · mockery · sarcasm · low blow · personal attack · zinger · cutting remark
Offensive or illegal
- late hitFoul after play ends
- low blowUnfair, unsportsmanlike strike
- flagrantShockingly conspicuous and wrong
- unsportsmanlikeContrary to athletic ethics
blindside hit · elbow · dirty play · targeting · clip · roughing · unnecessary roughness · flagrant foul
Unanticipated strike without warning
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- backstabBetray someone's trust
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- cowardlyWithout bravery or nerve
sneaky · opportunistic · unfair · hit below the belt · defenseless · vulnerable · unprovoked · unwarranted
insult
Offensive remark or action
dig · sneer · taunt · mockery · sarcasm · low blow · personal attack · zinger · cutting remark · potshot
foul
Offensive or illegal
- late hitFoul after play ends
- low blowUnfair, unsportsmanlike strike
- flagrantShockingly conspicuous and wrong
unsportsmanlike · blindside hit · elbow · dirty play · targeting · clip · roughing · unnecessary roughness · flagrant foul · bush league
sucker punch
Unanticipated strike without warning
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- backstabBetray someone's trust
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
cowardly · sneaky · opportunistic · unfair · hit below the belt · defenseless · vulnerable · unprovoked · unwarranted · undeserved
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, under the gun
- Pro Wrestlingheel, WrestleMania, face turn, Royal Rumble, kayfabe
- dangerous playshigh tackle, late hit, late tackle, targeting, clothesline
- dirty trickscheating, lying, deceit, trickery, deception
- fistfightspunch, jab, uppercut, haymaker, right hook
- tauntstaunts, taunt, taunting, neener neener, insults
cheap shotclean hit
Uncontested fair contact
fair play · sportsmanship · level playing field · square deal · gentleman's agreement
cheap, shot, cheapen, cheaper, cheapness, cheapest, cheapened, cheapening, cheapish