1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $2(-2 - x)$. 2. **Use the distributive property:** Multiply $2$ by each term inside the parentheses. The distributive property states that $a(b + c) = ab + ac$. 3. **Apply the property:** $$2 \times (-2) + 2 \times (-x) = -4 - 2x$$ 4. **Final answer:** The simplified expression is $-4 - 2x$.