double take
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dou·ble take

noun \ˈdə-bəl-ˌtāk\

Definition of DOUBLE TAKE

: a delayed reaction to a surprising or significant situation after an initial failure to notice anything unusual —usually used in the phrase do a double take

Examples of DOUBLE TAKE

  1. His parents did a double take when he came home with a tattoo.

First Known Use of DOUBLE TAKE

1930

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