double
- a substitute who performs feats or actions too hazardous or difficult for a star.
- body double.
- a challenge by an opponent that the declarer cannot fulfill the designated contract, increasing the points to be won or lost.
- a hand that warrants such a challenge.
- to sail around (a projecting area of land): to double Cape Horn.
- to add a new layer of planking or ceiling to (an old wooden hull).
- to challenge (the bid of an opponent) by making a call that increases the value of tricks to be won or lost.
- to challenge the bid of (an opponent): He doubled me into game.
- to cause the advance of (a base runner) by a two-base hit: He doubled him to third.
- to cause (a run) to be scored by a two-base hit (often followed by in): He doubled in the winning run.
- to put out (a base runner) as the second out of a double play (often followed by up).
- to share quarters planned for only one person or family: Because of the room shortage, we had to double up.
- to bend over, as from pain: He doubled up in agony.
Idioms about double
- without delay; rapidly: The fire engines came on the double.
- in double time, as marching troops.
Origin of double
OTHER WORDS FROM double
dou·ble·ness, noundou·bler, nounqua·si-dou·ble, adjectivequa·si-dou·bly, adverbHow to use double in a sentence
The second features a double-ledge move that forces everyone but Adam off their bikes.
On mountain bikes in the Utah desert, a college reunion like no other|John Briley|November 20, 2020|Washington PostIn Montana, I ride ancient double chairlifts that date to my wooden skis and leather boots childhood.
Before that, the number of disrupted games in one week had yet to reach double digits.
Maryland, with 15 more players and its coach positive for coronavirus, cancels Michigan State game|Emily Giambalvo|November 19, 2020|Washington PostThe pandemic has more than doubled that number in a fraction of the time.
250,000 lives lost: How the pandemic compares to other deadly events in U.S. history|Gillian Brockell|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Haurylava raised her hand to go as soon as she learned that Intermountain Healthcare was in need — coronavirus cases were climbing by double digits, and front-line workers were pulling double shifts.
The jet engine instantly brought two advances over propellers: it doubled the speed and it was far more reliable.
Flight 8501 Poses Question: Are Modern Jets Too Automated to Fly?|Clive Irving|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEASTThe number of protests in China between 2006 and 2010 doubled to 180,000, and those are only the reported “mass incidents.”
In its opening weekend the movie Heaven Is For Real (budget: $12 million) doubled its gross.
The Biggest Bombs of 2014: ‘Sex Tape,’ Mariah Carey’s Vocals, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEASTThe rate of violent crime had nearly doubled, so Republicans took ownership of that issue.
Twitter mentions of “Bill Cosby” doubled from the previous day to more than 7,000 tweets.
She took to staring out across the grounds again, and one hand drew up slowly till it was doubled into a tight-shut little fist.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. SinclairTom thought he felt the hot breath of his pursuer on his neck as he doubled actively round the corner.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. BallantyneHe doubled and trebled his risks, and did the like, as may be guessed, to his anxieties and failures.
On his return he again doubled cape Good Hope, which had long been regarded as the ne plus ultra of navigation.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel MunsellMany organs now constructed have their tonal effects more than doubled through adoption of this principle.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
British Dictionary definitions for double
- (of a root) being one of two equal roots of a polynomial equation
- (of an integral) having an integrand containing two independent variables requiring two integrations, in each of which one variable is kept constant
- (of an instrument) sounding an octave lower than the pitch indicated by the notationa double bass
- (of time) duple, usually accompanied by the direction alla breve
- the narrow outermost ring on a dartboard
- a hit on this ring
- at twice normal marching speed
- quickly or immediately
- to duplicate (a voice or instrumental part) either in unison or at the octave above or below it
- (intr usually foll by on) to be capable of performing (upon an instrument additional to one's normal one)the third trumpeter doubles on cornet
- to cause two pawns of the same colour to be on the same file
- to place both rooks of the same colour on the same rank or the same file
Derived forms of double
doubleness, noundoubler, nounWord Origin for double
Other Idioms and Phrases with double
In addition to the idioms beginning with double
- double back
- double bill
- double cross
- double date
- double Dutch
- double duty
- double feature
- double in brass
- double life
- double standard
- double take, do a
- double talk
- double up
also see:
- lead a double life
- on the double
- see double