double standard

double standard

1. Any set of values or principles that are applied differently and unequally to two or more similar people, groups, or situations. The prime minster was accused of engaging in a double standard regarding his foreign policy, supporting extremism in countries long regarded as allies while decrying the same kind of extremism elsewhere.
2. An unwritten provision granting more sexual freedom to men than to women. The double standard that young men are encouraged to be sexually active while young women may be ostracized for it is still a hugely pervasive problem for many young people growing up today.
See also: double, standard
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

double standard

A set of principles establishing different provisions for one group than another; also, specifically, allowing men more sexual freedom than women. For example, She complained that her father had a double standard-her brothers were allowed to date, but she was not, even though she was older . [Mid-1900s]
See also: double, standard
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • life saver
  • be a square peg
  • be a square peg (in a round hole)
  • road rage
  • square peg
  • change (someone's) mind
  • the worst of both worlds
  • the worst of both/all worlds
  • best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray
  • the best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray
References in periodicals archive
'There is a law for Sharif Family and totally different law for us,' Sharjeel Inam Memon, who received warm welcome at Sindh Assembly where he was brought from jail, said adding that this speaks volumes of the double standards of the NAB.
NAB discriminatory, unlawful, contrary to Constitution, says SA resolution
(20.) Alan Dershowitz, "The Anti-Israel Double Standard Watch," Huffington Post, July 11, 2006.
Double standards for Israel
In her exploration of the double standards we see every day feminist Jessica Valenti weaves together personal anecdotes with a call to action.
He's a Stud She's a Slut: And 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know
Knowing that a double standard exists is the challenge, and the frustration of being a diverse candidate in corporate America.
Is being the best good enough? Surviving the double standard in your organization
Enemy Aliens: Double Standards and Constitutional Freedoms in the War on Terrorism By David Cole The New Press.
Enemy Aliens: Double Standards and Constitutional Freedoms in the War on Terrorism
The double standard relating to Jews is everywhere and functions in important ways for Jews and Christians.
At the end of an era: a meditation on ecumenism, exile and gratitud
These failures are: little or ineffective discipline and deselection of trainees (a commitment to fairly but firmly graduate only those individuals who truly demonstrate performance and integrity standards); ignorance of the nature and effects of the goal-gradient phenomenon (the farther away individuals remain from their goal, the less the tendency to remain passionately interested in its attainment); and the allowance of a double standard within the organization, thereby decreasing moral accountability as professional responsibility increases.
Repairing Broken Windows
The presidential double standard undercuts the distinction between public and private life and support for the participatory concept of the citizen president.
The Clinton Crisis and the Double Standard for Presidents
Storm denied there was any double standard for Barnicle,, who is white, and Patricia Smith, the black columnist fired two months ago for fabricating quotes and characters.
Boston Globe Caves On Barnicle Resignation
A double standard results from this categorization.
The word on terrorism
"The propaganda of the Congress leaders in Uttar Pradesh that BJP may win, but the BSP-SP coalition should not win at any cost, reflects the casteist, narrow and double standard of the party.
Propaganda of Congress leaders in UP reflects casteist, narrow and double standard of party: Mayawati
'Malala is the daughter of this soil and we feel proud of her but we criticized the double standard of federal government that they provided her the protocol whereas not even a single person from the federal govt called the families of the APS martyrs,' Khattak said.
APS parents complain about govt 'double standards'
Sharif said that they would not accept this double standard on the part of the superior judiciary and would launch a movement for justice and fair play for all, as everyone should be equal before the law.
Nawaz to launch 'movement for justice'
Talking to media in London before leaving for Pakistan, the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader bitterly criticised the apex court for what he alleged adopting double standard in handling his case and that of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan.
Sharif returns today, says will launch movement
Lahore -- Former Prime Minister and Pakistan People's Party senior leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has said that State institutions should end double standard in justice.
State institutions must end double standards in justice: Raja Pervaiz Ashraf