double take

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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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of double take

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Words nearby double take

double sugar, double-system sound recording, doublet, double tackle, double-tailed, double take, double take, do a, double-talk, double tap, double-team, doublethink

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use double take in a sentence

It might make you do a double take, but one of the public amenities is a water feature that is, no lie, a giant puddle.
This Elegant European City Is a Trap|William O’Connor|October 29, 2021|The Daily Beast
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
But when he grudgingly appeared with bottle in hand, he did a double take—"Ooh!"
Gascony: France's New Foodie Destination|Condé Nast Traveler|July 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

I did a double take when I realized the biggest credit on his resume to date was a Disney comedy TV series called Even Stevens.
Uncomfortably Mature: Shia LaBeouf’s Different, More Complicated, Life|Rick Schwartz|February 23, 2013|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
Kato responded to this with a gruesome double-take that gave his face the fleeting appearance of an ancient samurai war mask.
The Mercenaries|Henry Beam Piper
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
Brad gave a quick glance down into the pit and then did a double take.
Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle|Mildred A. Wirt
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
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

double take

Origin of double take

Words nearby double take

Words related to double take

How to use double take in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for double take