double down

verb

doubled down; doubling down; doubles down

intransitive verb

1
: to double the original bid in blackjack in exchange for only one more card
2
: to become more tenacious, zealous, or resolute in a position or undertaking
the administration needs to double down on the call for political reformWashington Post

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of double down was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near double down

Cite this Entry

“Double down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20down. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!