double life
The concept of 'double life' involves maintaining two distinct identities or lifestyles, often with one kept hidden from others.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(common)The practice of leading two separate and distinct lives, typically with one kept secret.
Example
- He was discovered to be leading a double life, with a second family in another city.
C1Psychology
(technical, academic)A state where an individual maintains two distinct identities or sets of behaviors, often due to psychological motivations such as escapism or fear of judgment.
C1Literature
(literary)A narrative device where a character lives two contrasting lives, often to explore themes of duality and identity.
Example
- In 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,' the protagonist leads a double life to separate his good and evil sides.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "double life":
single lifepublic lifesocial lifealter egoreal lifeworking life