# cheat sheet

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cheat-sheet
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Any summary or quick reference used as a shortcut or reminder, such as an aid for public speaking.

## Examples

- I keep a cheat sheet by my desk for phone numbers.
- Before the presentation, she made a cheat sheet with key points so she wouldn't forget anything important.
- Nervous about forgetting his lines, the actor tucked a small cheat sheet inside his costume, glancing at it only when the spotlight dimmed.

## Origin

From cheat + sheet.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.