What it means
Means pleasantly rude or boldly confident, but in modern chat it often just means a sneaky little treat you know you don't really need. Calling it cheeky makes it sound harmless and a bit laddish, like you're winking at your own bad decisions. You’ll hear it with food, drinks, and last minute plans: cheeky pint, cheeky Nando’s, cheeky takeaway, even a cheeky bid online.
Usage examples
"We clocked off early, so Dave suggested a cheeky Nando's, then a cheeky pint. Somehow we ended up in the kebab shop at midnight."
"He gave me a cheeky wink and pinched the last chip off my plate."
"We popped out for a cheeky pint after work, just the one."
Where it comes from
Built straight on cheek, which since the nineteenth century has meant impudence and sauce, the nerve to answer back. So cheeky is being pleasantly rude or boldly forward in a way that is more charming than offensive: the cheeky grin, the cheeky reply, the child who is cheeky but you cannot help smiling. The British also love a cheeky little treat, a small indulgence enjoyed with a wink.
Other ways to say it
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