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to double-cross

to double-cross

32 6.5
Betray someone who trusts you after pretending to help them
  • verb
  • /ˈdʌbəlˌkrɔs/
translation icon : traicionar
  • She thought he was a friend, but he tried to double-cross her during the deal.
  • try to double-cross
  • think he double-crossed
  • going to double-cross

Double Don't double cross me, bitch.

Examples

Synonyms

to betray
vsto double-cross
111 4.1

Give people or information to an enemy

focuses on betrayal that follows pretending to support or work together
to sell down the river
vsto double-cross
  • Informal
12 8.8

To betray someone to get something for yourself

involves betrayal after pretending loyalty rather than only for profit
to backstab
vsto double-cross
  • Informal
5 6.6

To secretly betray someone who trusts you

focuses on betrayal after pretending to work or support rather than friendship
to play false
vsto double-cross
1 8.1

To trick someone who trusts you by hiding your real plans to get something for yourself

means active treachery after pretending to help rather than general concealed motives

Antonyms

1.0

Give help to a person or idea

How Treacherous

backstab
  • Informal
1 7.8
to double-cross
32 6.5
to sell out
  • Informal
55 6.8
to betray
397 4.2
to let down
210 2.9

Surface Forms

double-cross infinitive
double-crossed past participle
double-crossing present participle
double-crosses third person singular

Morphology

double-cross = double + cross (transparent) = double + cross

The meaning is directly derivable from 'double' (twice/intensifier) + 'cross' (betray), so learners who know the components can infer the verb.

Etymology

Double-cross comes from putting together double ('two') and cross ('to betray' or 'to go against'), which gives the picture of someone being two-faced. So, to double-cross someone is to pretend to help them and then secretly betray them.