B2idiompoliticsIELTS-friendly
a double standard
USUK
a rule applied more strictly to one group than to another
Often plural: 'apply double standards'. It criticises unfairness, so it is a strong word.
In context
It is a double standard to fine ordinary drivers but ignore officials who break the rules.
Women often face a double standard at work: a firm man is a leader, a firm woman is bossy.
More idioms about politics
- a grey areaa situation where the rules are unclear, so nobody is sure what is allowed
- a hidden agendaa secret reason or plan behind what someone says or does
- a hot potatoa difficult issue that people disagree about and nobody wants to deal with
- a lame ducka politician or government with little real power, often near the end of a term in office
- a landslide victorya win in an election by a very large number of votes