What Does 2-Faced Mean?
"Two-faced" describes someone who is insincere and deceitful. This person presents a pleasant facade to one's face while simultaneously speaking negatively or acting against that person behind their back.
The phrase "two-faced" paints a vivid picture of duplicity. It implies a hidden agenda, where outward appearances mask ulterior motives. This behavior is characterized by:
- Saying one thing to your face, another behind your back: This is the core characteristic of a two-faced individual. They cultivate a positive image while spreading negativity or falsehoods when you're not present.
- Lack of sincerity and genuine honesty: The root of two-faced behavior lies in dishonesty. The actions and words don't align with their true intentions.
- Manipulative behavior aimed at personal gain: Two-faced people often use their deceptive tactics to manipulate situations or relationships to their advantage.
Examples of Two-Faced Behavior:
- A colleague who praises your work to your face but criticizes it to your boss.
- A friend who acts supportive publicly but spreads rumors about you behind your back.
- A family member who expresses love but secretly undermines your efforts.
Several sources define "two-faced" in a similar manner. The Cambridge English Dictionary states that a two-faced person is "not sincere, saying unpleasant things about you to other people while seeming to be pleasant when they are with you." https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/two-faced The Britannica Dictionary echoes this definition, adding that it involves "saying different things to different people in order to get their approval." https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/two%E2%80%93faced
