double take

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR double take ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

Origin of double take

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for double-take

The “Aduba double-take,” a phenomenon that fans of the show often fall victim to, is truly a testament to her feral performance.
‘Orange Is the New Black’ Star Uzo Aduba on Her Journey From Track Phenom to Crazy Eyes|Marlow Stern|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I must have done a double-take, like the Navy pilot who sees a UFO outside his cockpit.
A History of American Fun|Stefan Beck|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You'll notice yourself doing a double-take when you read this because it sounds like an elaborate prank from the Onion.
History's Vilest #SlatePitch Asks: Why Do We Bitterly Cling to Free Speech?|Justin Green|September 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The whistle came from his lips this time, as he did a double-take at the figure which confronted him.
Castle of Terror|E.J. Liston

My heart did a double-take; one slip and he'd be off into the gorge, and the frost stung, melting under his bare fingers.
A Matter of Proportion|Anne Walker
Jerry started to sweat over the thing again, then suddenly did a double-take.
The Short Life|Francis Donovan
He thought of Bette, the inveterate explainer and double-take expert.
Pagan Passions|Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for double-take

double take

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

Word Origin and History for double-take