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• double dip
  double dip

  noun

  a complement equal to the original; a double measure.
• double-dip
  double-dip

  verb (used without object)

  to earn a salary from one position while collecting a pension from the same employer or organization, especially to be a wage earner on the federal payroll while receiving a military retiree's pension.

double dip

¹ American  

noun

1. a complement equal to the original; a double measure.

   a double dip of protection through both insurance and Social Security.

2. something that happens twice in a cycle, especially on a downturn.

   a double dip of recession.

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double-dip ² American  

[duhb-uhl-dip] / ˈdʌb əlˈdɪp /

verb (used without object)

double-dipped, double-dipping

1. Informal. to earn a salary from one position while collecting a pension from the same employer or organization, especially to be a wage earner on the federal payroll while receiving a military retiree's pension.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a double dip.

double dip British  

noun

1. economics

   1. a recession in which a brief recovery in output is followed by another fall, because demand remains low

   2. ( as modifier )

      a double-dip recession

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Other Word Forms

• double-dipper noun

Etymology

Origin of double-dip

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Businesses can claim both the deduction and credit, but they can’t double dip for the same expense, Powell-Allen says.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

Tesla said if the Delware court reinstated Musk's 2018 pay deal, he would forfeit or return the latest share aware to avoid a "double dip".

From BBC • Aug. 4, 2025

Still, a survey report by JPMorgan last week showed investors' biggest concern was "ineffective" policy response, followed by a spillover into the banking system, and a double dip in property sales.

From Reuters • Sep. 18, 2023

Employers also cannot double dip and claim the credit if they also won Paycheck Protection Program loans for those same employees.

From Washington Times • Sep. 14, 2023

But black, white, orange, pink, brown, and a dull red made by a double dip of orange and pink, are a good range of colour.

From Rolf in the Woods by Seton, Ernest Thompson