Definition

1. Verb:
   • To deceive a romantic partner by having a secret romantic or sexual relationship with another person simultaneously. This action constitutes a betrayal of trust and exclusivity typically expected in a committed relationship.

Usage

• This verb is transitive and requires a direct object (the person being deceived).
• It is informal and carries a strong negative connotation of dishonesty and betrayal.
• The past tense and past participle form is two-timed.

Examples

• Verb:
  • She discovered he was two-timing her with her best friend.
  • He felt guilty for two-timing his girlfriend while he was away on business.
  • I would never two-time someone I care about.

Advanced Usage

• "to be two-timed": to be the victim of this deception.
  • She was devastated after being two-timed.
• The term implies an ongoing, secretive parallel relationship, not a single instance of infidelity.

Variants and Related Words

• Two-timer (noun): A person who two-times someone.
  • He's a known two-timer; you shouldn't trust him.

Synonyms

• Cheat on: The most common and direct synonym.
• Be unfaithful to: A more formal phrase.
• Betray: A broader term for breaking trust, which can include romantic betrayal.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Collocations

• Two-time on (someone): A less common but understood variant of the verb.
  • He was accused of two-timing on his wife.

Related Idioms

• While not a direct idiom, the concept is central to phrases like:
  • "To have a bit on the side": (idiom, informal) To have a secret lover.
  • "To play around": (idiom, informal) To be sexually unfaithful.

Verb

1. carry on a romantic relationship with two people at the same time