double cross
Preserved but no longer current.
A CROSS in which a man who has engaged to lose breaks his engagement, and "goes straight" at the last moment. This proceeding is called "doubling" or "putting the double on," and is often productive of much excitement in athletic circles.—See CROSS.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “double cross” mean?
A CROSS in which a man who has engaged to lose breaks his engagement, and "goes straight" at the last moment. This proceeding is called "doubling" or "putting the double on," and is often productive of much excitement in athletic circles.—See CROSS.
Is “double cross” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.