double up

British  

verb

1. to bend or cause to bend in two

   he doubled up with the pain

2. (intr) to share a room or bed designed for one person, family, etc

3. US and Canadian term: parlay.  (intr) to use the winnings from one bet as the stake for another

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double up Idioms  

1. Bend over suddenly, as in pain or laughter. For example, She doubled up with a cramp . [Late 1800s]

2. Share accommodations meant for one person, as in The hotel ran out of rooms, so we had to double up . [Late 1700s]

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Example Sentences

But at last he reached a long, wooded slope and had to stop: doubled up, chest heaving.

From Literature

“Did they accidentally double up the photographs? This looks like the same person.”

From Literature

It is also used to host group singing sessions, weekly dinners and sometimes doubles up as an "IT helpdesk" for elderly residents.

From BBC

The tournament, which this year doubles up as a qualifier for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, was scheduled to be held from 17 March to 3 April.

From BBC

They also might mistakenly double up on a medication if a mail-order pharmacy switches generic manufacturers and a drug begins coming in a different-colored pill that appears to be a different prescription.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• crinkle
• pleat
• pucker
• wrinkle