This may be possible on some exersices like bicep curls where you can bend you back to get the weight u, but how can you cheat on bench press and squats unlees you have a spotter. The point you make about putting the weight down having a few short moments rest and then continuing is called the rest/pause technique and is the basic principle of DC training.
Remember progression can happen in a few different ways, it may be with heavier weight or the same weight but with an extra rep or a shortened rest period between sets.
I just get sick when I watch a guy trying to one arm preach curl a 20kg Dumbell who only moments before was struggling with 12kg.
I feel like I should stand back just incase a doctors gonna need to get past.
Who cares what other people do, just worry about yourself and how much better you are going to be. I laugh at these people (on the inside), why should i pitty the fools.