double take
noun
dou·ble take
ˈdə-bəl-ˌtāk 
: 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 in a Sentence
His parents did a double take when he came home with a tattoo.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eagle-eyed viewers of Outrageous, BritBox’s new historical drama about the six real-life Mitford sisters’ wildly diverging political views at the onset of World War II, might pause the closing credits for a quick double take.
—
Rosemary Counter, Time, 25 June 2025
There’s definitely a lot of double takes, though, for sure.
—Mike Pesoli, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
But just as shoppers might be feeling a little more stable about their morning scramble, an egg recall due to has many doing a double take at the carton.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
And one particular quick change scene involving Christian and Satine had audience members doing a double take.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for double take
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Rosemary Counter, Time, 25 June 2025
There’s definitely a lot of double takes, though, for sure.
—Mike Pesoli, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
But just as shoppers might be feeling a little more stable about their morning scramble, an egg recall due to has many doing a double take at the carton.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
And one particular quick change scene involving Christian and Satine had audience members doing a double take.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for double take
Cite this Entry
“Double take.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20take. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
double take
noun
dou·ble take
ˈdəb-əl-ˌtāk
: a delayed reaction to a surprising or unusual situation after first failing to notice anything unusual
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