welsh
To cheat or swindle someone, often by not paying a debt, especially a gambling debtTo cheat or swindle someone, often by not paying a debt, especially a gambling debt.
» Tom has welshed on the agreement.
Meaning
2 senses(derogatory, offensive, sometimes, transitive)To cheat or swindle someone, often by not paying a debt, especially a gambling debt.
cheat by avoiding payment of a gambling debt
(derogatory, offensive, sometimes, transitive)To go back on one's word.
Examples
49 sentencesTom has welshed on the agreement.
I've never welshed on a bet.
Tom has welshed on his debt.
I never welsh on a deal.
I've never welshed on a bet yet.
Origin
Sometimes held to derive from disparaging stereotypes about the Welsh, though firm evidencSometimes held to derive from disparaging stereotypes about the Welsh, though firm evidence of this derivation is lacking. Compare gyp (“swindle”), probably from Gypsy, and jew (“defraud”), from Jew.
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Forms
welshes, welshing, welshed, welshedSynonyms
1 synonyms- cheat by avoiding payment of a gambling debt:welch
Word family
3 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle