double dealer

This term carries a strong negative connotation, implying a profound breach of trust and a calculated level of deceit. It describes someone who maintains a facade of loyalty or friendship while actively working to undermine the person or organization they claim to support. The phrase evokes an image of duality, where the individual operates in two opposing directions simultaneously.

In modern usage, "double dealer" is less common than terms like "traitor," "two-faced," or "double agent." While a double agent is often a professional role within espionage, a double dealer is typically viewed as a moral failure in personal or business relationships. It is most frequently used in formal or literary contexts to describe betrayal and hypocrisy.