two-headed snake
two-headed snake Lexical Profile
• noun
A deceitful, treacherous, or double-dealing person; someone who acts hypocritically or betrays trust.
"After discovering that his business partner had been secretly embezzling funds, he realized he had been working with a two-headed snake."
A snake born with a rare congenital condition called polycephaly, resulting in it possessing two distinct heads on a single body.
"The zoo's newest attraction is a two-headed snake that requires careful hand-feeding to prevent its heads from fighting over meals."
A mythical serpent described in ancient folklore and heraldry as having a head at each end of its body.
"Classical mythology often features a two-headed snake known as the amphisbaena, which could move in either direction."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used figuratively, it carries a strong negative connotation similar to 'two-faced,' implying deceit, betrayal, or double-dealing.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the literal occurrence of polycephaly in reptiles, extending metaphorically in literature and folklore to represent duplicity or a treacherous nature.