double take

American  

noun

1. a rapid or surprised second look, either literal or figurative, at a person or situation whose significance had not been completely grasped at first.

   His friends did a double take when they saw how much weight he had lost.

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double take British  

noun

1. (esp in comedy) a delayed reaction by a person to a remark, situation, etc

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Etymology

Origin of double take

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Example Sentences

Something in your column made me do a double take.

From MarketWatch

It was a sight that prompted even seasoned wildlife watchers to do a double take: A coyote swimming in San Francisco Bay a quarter of a mile off Angel Island.

From Los Angeles Times

Before you reach for your snack drawer, you might want to do a double take.

From Salon

He'd arrived at the road adjacent to the tree and had to "double take" as he saw it for the first time lying on its side.

From BBC

I have to admit, I did a double take when I saw in last Sunday’s letters, not just one, but two USC detractors dredged up the same tired old jab, “The University of Spoiled Children.”

From Los Angeles Times