Double-cross Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ช
double-cross
[หdสbษlหkrษs ]
Definitions
betrayal
To deceive or betray someone, especially after gaining their trust.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| double-cross |
Used when someone breaks a promise or arrangement, especially by secretly working against the other person involved.
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| betray |
A broad term used when someone is disloyal to another person, group, or cause. It can apply to many situations involving trust, loyalty, and honor.
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| deceive |
Used when someone intentionally gives a false impression or lies to another person. It encompasses a wider range of trickery beyond just breaking trust.
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| backstab |
Often used in office environments or group settings where someone betrays another person by deceitful actions behind their back. Commonly implies secretive betrayal within a close-knit group.
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Examples of usage
- He double-crossed his business partner by stealing money from the company.
- She felt double-crossed when she found out her friend had been spreading rumors about her.
betrayal
An act of betraying or deceiving someone, especially after gaining their trust.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| double-cross |
This word is used when a person pretends to help or support someone but instead does something to harm them, especially by changing sides or breaking a promise.
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| betrayal |
This term is used in situations where someone is disloyal or unfaithful to another person, group, or cause, and their actions cause a deep sense of loss or hurt.
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| deceit |
This word is used in situations involving lying or tricking someone, especially through clever or dishonest methods.
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| treachery |
This word is used to describe actions that involve betraying someoneโs trust or confidence, especially in a way that could lead to a significant danger. It often has a grand or historical connotation.
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Examples of usage
- The double-cross by his supposed ally left him feeling angry and hurt.
- She saw through the double-cross and knew not to trust him again.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Literature
- Double-crossing characters often appear in detective novels, where trust and deceit create suspense.
- Shakespeare's plays frequently explore themes of betrayal, illustrating the emotional impact of treachery.
Pop Culture
- In films like 'The Godfather,' characters double-cross each other to gain power and control.
- The theme of betrayal is common in music, with many songs narrating tales of trusted friends turning against each other.
Psychology
- Feeling betrayed can trigger emotional responses like anger and sadness, affecting trust in future relationships.
- Betrayal can create cognitive dissonance, leaving individuals confused between their feelings and actions.
History
- Betrayals in historical contexts, such as during wars, often changed the outcomes of conflicts, highlighting the seriousness of double-crossing.
- Many spies throughout history have resorted to double-crossing to survive or achieve their objectives, demonstrating its ties to espionage.
Origin of 'double-cross'
Main points about word origin
- The term dates back to the early 20th century, originating from the world of espionage.
- It combines the idea of 'double' (two-faced) with 'cross,' which indicates betrayal.
The term 'double-cross' originated in the early 19th century in reference to a method of crossing a stream or river by using two intersecting logs. Over time, it evolved to signify a betrayal or deception, likely influenced by the image of crossing someone twice, hence 'double-cross'. The concept of betrayal has been a common theme throughout history, with various literary works and historical events depicting instances of double-crossing and treachery.