double-cross
/ˌdʌbl ˈkrɒs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdʌbl ˈkrɔːs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌdʌb.əlˈkrɒs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdʌb.əlˈkrɑːs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌdə-bəl-ˈkrȯs How to pronounce double-cross (audio)/ (ame, mw)
double-cross — noun
1. a sneaky setup where a partner or ally turns against you so they come out ahead,
a sneaky setup where a partner or ally turns against you so they come out ahead, often during a dishonest plan.
Hamza saw the fake passport deal as an obvious double-cross.
pattern: see something as a double-cross
After the arrest, Gabriela realized her partner's double-cross had been planned for weeks.
possessive pattern: someone's double-cross
The gang blamed Christopher for the double-cross that cost them the cash.
In the final scene, the audience learns who planned the double-cross.
- loyalty
means staying on someone's side instead of turning against them
文法句型
a double-cross
pull a double-cross on someone
plan a double-cross
用法筆記
Most often used for a betrayal inside a shared plan, especially when money, crime, or some other risky scheme is involved. It sounds more dramatic than an ordinary mistake or broken promise.
常見錯誤
double-cross — verb
- double-crosspresent simple I / you / we / they
- double-crosses3rd person singular
- double-crossing-ing form
- double-crossedpast simple
1. to turn against someone you have been working with and leave them carrying the l
to turn against someone you have been working with and leave them carrying the loss while you protect yourself or grab the reward instead.
Takeshi double-crossed his partner and kept the ticket money for himself.
double-cross + partner in a money deal
When the police offered a deal, Ziad decided to double-cross the gang.
double-cross + group after a deal offer
Dahlia warned us not to double-cross the driver before the border run.
The spy double-crossed both sides and disappeared with the file.
- betray
is the broad standard word and fits many situations beyond secret schemes
- backstab
is more personal and often used for office, school, or friendship conflicts
- double-deal
stresses dishonest behavior toward two sides, not always a direct turn against a partner
- support
means staying with someone and helping them instead of turning on them
文法句型
double-cross + someone
double-cross + a group
double-cross + partner/ally
用法筆記
The object is usually someone already involved in the same risky plan, deal, or secret arrangement. It suggests more than simple cheating because the other side believed you were working together.
常見錯誤
double-cross — phrase
1. a sports betrayal in which a player or fighter promises to lose on purpose but t
a sports betrayal in which a player or fighter promises to lose on purpose but then tries to take the victory instead.
Everyone in the gym knew Jabari's last-round charge was a double-cross.
fixed fight: sudden attack after a planned loss
After taking the money, the boxer tried a double-cross and went for the knockout.
take the money and then try to win
The gamblers panicked when Talia turned the fixed match into a double-cross.
One swing too many, and the planned throw became a dangerous double-cross.
- throw the fight
means lose on purpose, which is the agreement this sense breaks
- fix
names the dishonest arrangement itself, not the sudden attempt to break it
- honest contest
means a match with no secret agreement about the result
文法句型
a double-cross in the ring
pull a double-cross in a fixed match
the double-cross ruined the fix
用法筆記
Used for a fight or match that was meant to be thrown. Distinguish from phrase sense 2: this sense is specifically about a fixed sporting event, not betrayal in a general deal.
常見錯誤
2. a sudden turn against a partner or ally when cheating them becomes more useful t
a sudden turn against a partner or ally when cheating them becomes more useful than keeping the agreement.
By sunrise, the crew knew Dewi's sudden lie was a double-cross.
realize a lie was a double-cross
Our driver pulled a double-cross and sold the route to the rivals.
pull a double-cross and sell information
What looked like a rescue call turned out to be a double-cross.
The deal collapsed when the buyers spotted a double-cross in the final message.
- solidarity
means standing together instead of turning against one another
文法句型
a double-cross by someone
pull a double-cross on someone
spot a double-cross
用法筆記
Often used in stories about gangs, hidden plans, or tense negotiations. Distinguish from the noun entry by tone: this phrase-style sense often names the moment of betrayal as part of a dramatic plot.