double cross
Deceive a partner
A double cross is a betrayal of someone who trusted you, especially after agreeing to work together.
The term implies deliberate deception—pretending loyalty while planning to harm or cheat: He pulled a double cross and kept all the money for himself.
To double-cross someone is to betray them this way.
The word evokes crime fiction and espionage, where alliances shift and trust is currency.
- backstabBetray someone's trust
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- connivanceWillful blindness to wrongdoing
- perfidyDeliberate breach of trust
duplicity · scheme · stratagem · gambit · dirty trick · fraud · disloyalty · subterfuge · betrayer · intrigue · inside job · deceit · sellout · sell out · Judas · sabotage · two-timing · feint
- mysteryclue, detective, suspect, clues, sleuth
- mystery fictionwhodunit, whodunnit, sleuth, murder mystery, detective novel
- Spy Fictionspy, secret agent, MI6, CIA, KGB
- Old Idiomsbeyond the pale, hue and cry, scot-free, knight in shining armor, eat humble pie
- plot twistsplot twist, twist ending, surprise ending, unexpected turn, final reveal
- thriller tropesplot twist, red herring, cliffhanger, whodunit, femme fatale
double crossloyalty
Faithful commitment to another
faithfulness · fidelity · allegiance · devotion · steadfastness
double crossgood faith
Sincere, honest intent
fair dealing · fair play · square dealing · play fair · keep one's word
double, cross, doubled, doubles, doubling, doubly, redouble, redoubled, redoubling