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

There’s a whole world of lagers out there that would make even the snobbiest beer geek do a double take—beers that have nothing in common with the watery brews that once defined the style for so many Americans. — Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Gaines and the teens had fans doing a double take with their matching long mermaid waves. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 Aug. 2026

Neighbor’s double take helped police identify accused wildfire arsonist as flames raced nearby. — FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Rice plays Cori Mulligan, the kind of girl that makes people do a double take. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for double take

• overtake
• rattlesnake
• shiitake
• undertake
• wapentake
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik

Kids 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