divided loyalty
Serving two masters
Divided loyalty is the condition of being pulled toward competing allegiances—to different people, groups, causes, or principles.
The phrase often carries suspicion, implying someone cannot be fully trusted because their commitment is split: His divided loyalty between family and career cost him his marriage.
Accusations of divided loyalty have historically targeted immigrants and minorities, questioning whether their true allegiance lies elsewhere.
- tornPulled into pieces
- conflictedEmotionally at odds
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- serve two mastersAttempt satisfying conflicting authorities
- betrayalBreaking of trust
split · dual · treason · torn apart · wavering · double agent · double life · spy · defection · sworn enemy · family · blood ties · country · duty · honor · guilt · secret · conscience
- tragedytragedy, tragic flaw, tragic hero, tragic heroes, tragic irony
- ethics violationsbribery, bribes, kickbacks, kickback, nepotism
- loyalty typespatriotism
divided loyaltyfaithfulness
Devoted loyalty maintained
fidelity · trustworthiness · steadfastness · constancy · reliability
divided, loyalty, divide, divides, dividing, division, divisions, divisional, divisive