double take

American

noun

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.

double take British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of double take

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

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.

Hu observed the insects pausing briefly, almost as if doing a "double take," before gathering nearby.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

Something in your column made me do a double take.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

WILLMAR, Minn.—Nearly 30 years ago in this small agricultural town, resident Pablo Obregon did a double take at a group waiting for the bus downtown on the first day of school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 7, 2025

But then in 2020 I saw Kelly Fields’ “The Good Book of Southern Baking,” and I did a double take.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2025

On Monday, Ms. Allen, the art teacher, does a double take when I walk into her class.

From "The Skin I'm In" by Sharon G. Flake

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023