Translation guide
To betray someone by acting in contradiction to a prior agreement or trust, especially after gaining their confidence.
To deceive a partner or ally by secretly working against them, often for personal gain.
The most common and direct verb for 'betray'. It covers double-crossing in personal, professional, or criminal contexts.
To fail to uphold one's end of a deal, often after the other party has fulfilled theirs.
Literally 'break a promise'. This is the most straightforward way to express a double-cross in the sense of reneging on an agreement.
彼は約束を破って、情報を渡さなかった。
He double-crossed us by not handing over the information as promised.
To arrange a situation where someone is betrayed, often by leading them into a trap.
Literally 'to trap' or 'ensnare'. It implies a premeditated double-cross where the victim is lured into a compromising position.
彼は仲間を罠にかけて、警察に売った。
He double-crossed his partner by setting him up and turning him in to the police.
There is no direct Japanese equivalent for the English noun 'double-cross'. The verb 'double-cross' is best translated as 裏切る (uragiru) or context-specific phrases. Avoid literal translations like ダブルクロス, which is not commonly used.
裏切る (uragiru) focuses on betrayal of trust, while だます (damasu) focuses on deception. In many double-cross scenarios, both apply, but 裏切る is more precise when the core issue is broken loyalty.
He double-crossed his comrades and joined the enemy.
信頼していた人に裏切られた。
I was double-crossed by someone I trusted.
Means 'to deceive' or 'trick'. It implies a double-cross when used in contexts of breaking promises or agreements.
彼は私をだまして、お金を持ち逃げした。
He double-crossed me and ran off with the money.
Literally 'to change sides', often used when someone switches allegiance, betraying their original group.
スパイが敵に寝返った。
The spy double-crossed and went over to the enemy.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to be double-tongued', i.e., to say different things to different people, implying deceit and betrayal.
彼は二枚舌を使って、両方から利益を得ようとした。
He double-crossed both sides, trying to profit from each.
Means 'to nullify' or 'go back on' an agreement. It has a formal tone and is often used in business or legal contexts.
契約を反故にされて、大損した。
They double-crossed us by reneging on the contract, and we lost a lot of money.
Slang for 'to set up' or 'frame' someone. It conveys a deliberate and often malicious double-cross.
あいつにはめられた。
I was double-crossed by that guy. (He set me up.)