double agent
C1Formal, journalistic, literary, intelligence/security contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A spy who pretends to work for one country or organization while actually working for its enemy.
By extension, any person or entity that appears to be loyal to one side while secretly serving the interests of another, often for personal gain or a hidden agenda.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies active deception and significant risk. The term inherently suggests a conflict of loyalties and a central, dangerous secret. It is not typically used for minor workplace disloyalty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The compound is consistently spelled as two separate words.
Connotations
Strongly associated with Cold War espionage, modern geopolitical intrigue, and spy fiction in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally used in relevant contexts (news, history, fiction). Slightly more frequent in UK media in historical contexts related to WWII/Cold War.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Person/Group] + [BE verb] + a double agent for [Side B] (while pretending to work for [Side A]).[Side B] + recruit/turn + [Person] + as a double agent.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Playing a double game.”
- “A wolf in sheep's clothing (metaphorically similar).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; used metaphorically for a corporate spy or executive secretly working for a competitor.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and security studies texts discussing espionage.
Everyday
Used in discussions of news, history, or spy films/books. Not common in casual chat.
Technical
Precise term in intelligence and counterintelligence discourse.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was suspected of attempting to double-agent for a foreign power.
- (Note: 'double-agent' as a verb is non-standard and rare, typically phrased as 'work as a double agent')
American English
- The operative was recruited to double-agent against the cartel. (Non-standard/rare)
adverb
British English
- He acted double-agent, feeding false information. (Highly non-standard)
American English
- She worked double-agent, a constant risk. (Highly non-standard)
adjective
British English
- The journalist uncovered a double-agent operation within MI6.
American English
- They ran a sophisticated double-agent scheme for years.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the film, the spy is a double agent.
- The detective discovered that his informant was actually a double agent working for the criminals.
- Historical archives revealed that several high-profile diplomats had been recruited as double agents during the Cold War.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'double' in films: one actor plays TWO roles. A 'double agent' is one person playing TWO opposing roles in real life.
Conceptual Metaphor
ESPIONAGE IS A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE (playing a role, wearing a mask). LOYALTY IS A SINGLE PATH; BETRAYAL IS A FORKED ROAD.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'двойной агент' by simply calquing; the standard Russian term is 'двойной агент', but more common is 'агент-двойник' or specific terms like 'перевёртыш'.
- Avoid confusing with 'шпион' (spy), which is a broader term. A double agent is a specific type of spy.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'doubleagent' (should be two words).
- Using it for any disloyal person (e.g., a friend who tells secrets), which dilutes its serious espionage connotation.
- Confusing with 'defector' (who openly leaves one side for another).
Practice
Quiz
What is the key defining feature of a double agent?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A mole is a spy who infiltrates an organization and remains hidden for a long time. A double agent is specifically a spy who is *knowingly* working for two opposing sides, often after being 'turned' by one of them. A mole can be a double agent, but not all double agents are moles.
Yes, but only metaphorically and with strong connotations of serious, intentional betrayal. For example, 'The CEO was a double agent for a rival firm.' Using it for minor disloyalty sounds overly dramatic.
It is consistently spelled as two separate words: 'double agent'.
Famous examples include Kim Philby (British MI6 officer for the USSR), Juan Pujol García (Garbo, who worked for the Allies against Nazi Germany), and Robert Hanssen (FBI agent for the Soviet Union/Russia).