cheat-meal
/ˈtʃiːt miːl/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A cheat meal is a planned meal in which someone eats foods they usually avoid while dieting or following a strict eating plan. It is often used as a reward or break from the diet.
- I had a cheat meal after two weeks of clean eating.
- Pizza was my cheat meal last night.
- One cheat meal won't ruin your diet.
Adinary Nuance
A cheat meal is not the same as a cheat day. A cheat meal is only one meal, while a cheat day means relaxing the diet for a whole day. It is also different from an indulgence, which sounds more general and less linked to dieting.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bữa ăn xả
- Spanish
- comida trampa
- Chinese
- 放纵餐
- Japanese
- チートミール
- Korean
- 치트밀
Etymology
This phrase is modern English. It combines cheat, meaning to break a rule, and meal, meaning a regular eating time or portion of food. It became common in fitness and diet talk in the 2000s.
Common phrases
have a cheat meala weekly cheat mealafter a cheat mealguilt-free cheat meal
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is cheat meal formal or informal?
- It is informal. People use it in fitness, dieting, and everyday speech.
- What is the difference between cheat meal and cheat day?
- A cheat meal is one meal outside the diet. A cheat day is a full day of relaxed eating.
- Can I use cheat meal in writing?
- Yes, but it is best for fitness blogs, social media, and casual writing.
- Is cheat meal common in Indian English?
- Yes, many English speakers in India use it in diet and gym conversations.