duplicity

/djuːˈplɪsəti/ (bre, ipa) · /duːˈplɪsəti/ (ame, ipa) · /du̇-ˈpli-sə-tē also dyu̇-/ (ame, mw)

duplicity — 名詞

1. the practice of misleading people by showing one intention to one side while sec

1.名詞C2
釋義

兩面三刀

對兩方各說一套的欺騙行為

the practice of misleading people by showing one intention to one side while secretly following another plan.

例句

The committee exposed the mayor's duplicity after he promised both groups the same land.

那位市長答應把同一塊地給兩個團體後，委員會揭穿了他的兩面三刀。

duplicity shown by giving two sides conflicting promises

Bao was shocked by Hiro's duplicity after Hiro praised Bao's idea, then mocked it online.

Bao 發現 Hiro 先稱讚 Bao 的點子，後來又在網路上拿這個點子開玩笑，對 Hiro 的兩面三刀感到很震驚。

public praise followed by private attack

同義詞
  • deceit

    a broader word for dishonest tricking; 'duplicity' more strongly suggests playing two sides against each other

  • dishonesty

    the most general term; 'duplicity' is more formal and more specific about hidden double motives

  • treachery

    stronger and more dramatic, often involving betrayal of trust or loyalty

反義詞
  • honesty

    saying what is true without hiding a second purpose

  • sincerity

    showing the same real feeling outwardly that you truly hold inside

  • openness

    acting transparently instead of sending different messages to different people

文法句型

duplicity in + noun

act with duplicity

accuse somebody of duplicity

用法筆記

Often used in formal criticism of politics, business, or betrayal between people. It usually suggests dealing dishonestly with two sides at once, not just telling one isolated lie.

常見錯誤

❌The confusing map was full of duplicity.
✅The confusing map was misleading.
💡'duplicity' describes dishonest behaviour by people or groups, not an object that causes confusion.
❌Nadia told one lie, so that was duplicity.
✅Nadia's duplicity became obvious when she gave each friend a different story.
💡'duplicity' usually suggests dishonest double-dealing between two sides.