double standard
C1Formal, Informal, Academic, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A rule or principle applied more strictly to one group or situation than to another, typically in a way considered unfair.
A hypocritical or inconsistent set of principles or expectations that creates an unfair advantage or disadvantage, often rooted in gender, social, or power dynamics.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost always carries a negative connotation of hypocrisy or injustice. Used primarily as a countable noun (e.g., 'a double standard', 'these double standards').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. The term is used identically in both varieties. Minor spelling differences in example sentences may apply (e.g., 'criticise' vs. 'criticize').
Connotations
Identical negative connotations of hypocrisy and unfairness in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common and familiar in both British and American English across all registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + apply/have/use + a double standardThere is/are + a double standard/double standards + [prepositional phrase][Subject] + be accused of/condemned for + a double standardVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “One rule for them and another for us”
- “A different yardstick”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Critiquing unfair promotion practices where assertiveness is praised in men but penalised in women.
Academic
Analysing societal norms in gender studies or political science, e.g., 'The paper examines the double standard in media coverage of male and female politicians.'
Everyday
Complaining about parents enforcing different curfews for siblings, or different social expectations for friends.
Technical
Less common, but can be used in ethics discussions within professions like law or medicine.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It's a double standard: my brother can stay out late, but I cannot.
- Many people see a double standard in how the media treats male and female athletes.
- The government was accused of a glaring double standard for criticising foreign election interference while allegedly engaging in it themselves.
- The study deconstructs the pervasive double standard in corporate leadership, where identical behaviours are labelled 'assertive' in men yet 'aggressive' in women, ultimately stalling diversity initiatives.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DOUBLE set of scales (standards): one heavy weight for one person, a light weight for another. Two sets of rules = DOUBLE STANDARD.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE/LAW IS A MEASURING TOOL (a standard). A DOUBLE STANDARD is a corrupted, two-faced tool that gives false measurements.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'двойной стандарт' for all contexts; while it exists, ensure it fits the target text's register. The Russian term can sound overly formal or politically charged compared to the broader English usage.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'That's very double standard' – incorrect. Correct: 'That's a double standard' or 'That's very hypocritical').
- Confusing it with 'double meaning', which is about ambiguity in language.
Practice
Quiz
Which situation BEST exemplifies a 'double standard'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is almost exclusively used to criticise an unfair or hypocritical inconsistency. Using it neutrally to describe mere 'differences' in treatment would be unusual.
No, it is a noun phrase. To describe something with this quality, use adjectives like 'hypocritical', 'unfair', or phrases like 'that's a double standard'.
'Hypocrisy' is the broader trait of pretending to have beliefs one does not hold. A 'double standard' is a specific, observable manifestation of hypocrisy—an unfair *application* of different rules.
Both are correct. The singular ('a double standard') often refers to a specific instance or rule. The plural ('double standards') refers to a set of such inconsistent practices more generally.