double-team
Americanverb (used with object)
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to defend against or block (an opposing player) by using two players, as in football or basketball.
By double-teaming the end the safety men left the other receiver in the open.
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to use two people in the handling of.
The company is double-teaming the more complicated jobs with both a scientist and a group manager.
Etymology
Origin of double-team
An Americanism dating back to 1835–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When Reaves and Doncic share the floor, it is a straightforward attack: teams simply can’t double-team two ruthlessly efficient ballhandlers stationed at opposite wings of the court.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2025
Instead, they played 48 minutes in sort of a futile chase, forced to double-team Giannis Antetokounmpo only to leave a shooter wide open at the three-point line.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2025
Even if the Seahawks decided to double-team Hutchinson, there would be plenty of opportunities for the rest of their front seven to get after Seattle quarterback Geno Smith.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 18, 2023
Sensing a double-team with 2.2 seconds left and still more than 30 feet from the basket, Nowell made a short pass to his right to Ismael Massoud, near the sideline.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 26, 2023
When we left the huddle, Armstead had decided it would be in their best interest to double-team me.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
