How do you use "Not cricket" in a sentence?

Cheating like that is simply not cricket. His behavior at the meeting was not cricket. It's just not cricket to do that.

Not cricket

Q: What does "Not cricket" mean?

Not fair or not proper; unsporting behaviour. Something that goes against the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship—from cricket's reputation as the gentleman's game.

Slang Term BritishAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Neutral

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Meaning: Not fair or not proper; unsporting behaviour.

不公平、不正当的行为

No es justo ni apropiado; comportamiento antideportivo.

フェアでない、紳士的でない行為

공정하지 않은, 신사답지 못한 행동

Something that goes against the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship—from cricket's reputation as the gentleman's game.

违背公平竞争和体育精神的行为。源自板球被视为绅士运动的传统。

Algo que va contra el espíritu del juego limpio y la deportividad—de la reputación del críquet como deporte de caballeros.

フェアプレーやスポーツマンシップの精神に反する行為。クリケットが紳士のスポーツとされることに由来。

페어플레이와 스포츠맨십의 정신에 어긋나는 것—신사의 스포츠로 알려진 크리켓에서 유래했다.

Literal meaning: Not in keeping with cricket ethics

Examples

Cheating like that is simply not cricket.
那样作弊太不光彩了
Hacer trampa así simplemente no es correcto
そんなズルは全くフェアじゃない
그런 속임수는 정말 비신사적이야.
His behavior at the meeting was not cricket.
他在会议上的表现很不得体
Su comportamiento en la reunión no fue apropiado
会議での彼の態度は紳士的ではなかった
회의에서 그의 태도는 정정당당하지 못했어.
It's just not cricket to do that.
那样做不太地道
No es correcto hacer eso
そんなことをするのはフェアじゃない
그런 짓을 하는 건 공정하지 않아.

Pronunciation

/nɒt ˈkrɪkɪt/

Usage Guide

Context: fairness, ethics, propriety

Tone: disapproving, formal

✓ Do Say

That's not cricket.
那不公平
Eso no es justo
それはフェアじゃない
그건 비신사적이야
Simply not cricket.
太不光彩了
Simplemente no es correcto
全くフェアじゃない
전혀 정정당당하지 않아
Not cricket at all.
完全不地道
Para nada apropiado
全然フェアじゃない
완전 반칙이야

✗ Don't Say

Not fair
Not fair（不公平）
Not fair（No es justo）
Not fair（フェアでない）
Not fair（공정하지 않은）
Unsporting
Unsporting（不够体育精神）
Unsporting（Antideportivo）
Unsporting（スポーツマンらしくない）
Unsporting（스포츠맨십에 어긋나는）

Common Mistakes

Very British—American equivalent might be 'not cool'
Implies breach of unwritten rules

Origin & History

From cricket's reputation for fair play and gentlemanly conduct.

Etymology: British, from cricket etiquette, 19th century

First recorded: Mid 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century to present

Generation: All ages, slightly old-fashioned

Social background: Middle class, formal

Pop culture: British cricket culture; Fair play ethos

Regional notes: British and Commonwealth—Americans won't use this.

Variations

Not cricketThat's not cricketSimply not cricket