PhrasesHub

Double standard

    Definitions

      • hypocrisy
        Referring to a situation where a person applies different sets of rules or expectations to different people or situations, often to their own advantage.

      • inequality
        Describing a societal or cultural phenomenon in which certain groups or individuals are held to different standards or expectations than others, resulting in preferential treatment for some and disadvantage for others.

    Examples of Double standard

    • John expects his family members to spend quality time with him, but he hardly spends any time with them. This shows that John follows a double standard when it comes to spending time with his loved ones.

      In this example, the idiom "double standard" is used to describe how John behaves differently in similar situations. He expects his family members to follow his expectation of spending time together, but he doesn't follow the same norm himself. This leads to a situation where John is being hypocritical, as he holds others accountable while not doing the same.Example 2:

    • Emily always criticizes her co-workers for being late, but she arrives late to work herself. Emily's behavior is a clear instance of double standard.

      In this example, the idiom "double standard" highlights the inconsistency in Emily's actions. She sets high expectations for others regarding punctuality, but she doesn't follow the same standard herself. This creates a double standard, where Emily expects others to adhere to the rules, but she is not held to the same level of accountability.Example 3:

    • James gets angry when his kids make mistakes, but he himself makes mistakes frequently. This is a classic case of double standard.

      In this example, the idiom "double standard" is used to illustrate how James treats his kids differently from himself. When his kids make mistakes, James becomes angry, but when he himself makes mistakes, he doesn't hold himself to the same standard. This creates a situation where James is contradicting himself and setting an unrealistic example for his kids.Example 4:

    • Sarah promotes a healthy lifestyle to her clients, but she herself eats unhealthy food regularly. This is a clear-cut instance of double standard.

      In this example, the idiom "double standard" is used to show the discrepancy between Sarah's behavior and her clients. She advocates a healthy lifestyle, but she doesn't follow it herself. This results in Sarah creating a double standard, where she asks her clients to follow a healthy lifestyle, but she is not held to the same standard herself. This situation is hypocritical, and it can negatively impact the trust and credibility of Sarah's fitness regime.

    • The vice-principal always scolds and punishes the students for coming late to school, but he himself is often late for his meetings with teachers.

      In this context, double standard refers to the inconsistent or hypocritical behavior of the vice-principal who enforces strict rules for others but does not follow them himself.

    • My friend accuses me of being unreliable because I sometimes cancel our plans at the last minute, but she herself frequently cancels our appointments without any explanation.

      Here, double standard refers to the inconsistency in the treatment of both individuals in similar situations.

    • My sister complains that I never help her with household chores, but she refuses to share the housework with me.

      In this case, double standard signifies the hypocrisy in relating to others in contrast to how one expects others to treat them.

    • The company's CEO often speaks about the importance of hard work and dedication, but most of the executives work only part-time and have plenty of time for leisure activities.

      The expression double standard in this context highlights the discrepancy between the values the company endorses and the behavior of its own officials.Based on the passage above, How would you paraphrase the "double standard" idiom in a different context, such as a personal relationship between two individuals? Provide an example and explanation.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "double standard" is commonly used to refer to situations of hypocrisy and inequality. In both cases, the underlying intention is to highlight the unfairness and inconsistency of the situation. In the case of hypocrisy, the idiom points to the fact that a person is applying different standards or expectations to different people or situations, often to their own advantage. In the case of inequality, the idiom highlights the unfairness of holding certain groups or individuals to different standards or expectations, resulting in unequal treatment and opportunities.

    Origin of "Double standard"

    The origin of the idiom "double standard" can be traced back to ancient Greece, where the concept of double standards was often discussed in the context of morality and ethics. The Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope is credited with coining the phrase "the dog's collar" to refer to situations where different rules were applied to different people. The term was later translated into Latin as "duplex iuris" and eventually made its way into English as "double standard."

    The idiom gained popularity in the 19th century and has been used in various contexts, including politics, social issues, and personal relationships. It has become a widely recognized phrase to describe situations of hypocrisy and inequality, and is often used in discussions about fairness and justice. The continued use of this idiom highlights the enduring relevance and impact of the concept of double standards in our society.