double-team

[ duhb-uhl-teem ]

verb (used with object)
  1. 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.

  2. 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.

Origin of double-team

1
An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Words Nearby double-team

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use double-team in a sentence

  • And one man raised his gun and shot one of the horses in the double team, which carried Mrs. Hopkins and Mary.

    Mary and I | Stephen Return Riggs
  • The third or fourth shell pitched clean into a labouring waggon with its double team of eight horses.

  • That double team had set out to do it quite obediently, but Vosh got matters straightened very quickly.

    Winter Fun | William O. Stoddard
  • I could scarcely keep my hands off them only I was afeared they would double team on me.

    Watch Yourself Go By | Al. G. Field
  • Mr. Charles H. Judd met us with his double team about five miles out, and we lunched at Mr. Moffatt's.