double take

noun

dou·​ble take ˈdə-bəl-ˌtāk How to pronounce double take (audio)
: 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 Then, Drake steps in and throws an alley that would make D Wade do a double take. Damien Scott, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2024 Some noted the benefit of color; others simply did a double take. Sue Williamson, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2024 Get ready to do a double take because most of the styles are under $100. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2024 That caused players at The Bridges in Rancho Santa Fe to do a double take during a club tournament in November. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2024 On Monday, audiences quickly did a double take when a green creature was seen creeping along the red carpet at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2024 But while that car would look right at home nestled in with the CRV and Pilot, these new vehicles are designed for double takes. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 9 Jan. 2024 After an extended hiatus from the red carpet, the Duchess made a memorable comeback with a sleek, elegant look that warranted a double take. Alex Kessler, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2023 Plastered around New York City, the soft-core promo had pedestrians doing double takes. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double take.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of double take was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near double take

Cite this Entry

“Double take.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20take. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

double take

noun
dou·​ble take ˈdəb-əl-ˌtāk How to pronounce double take (audio)
: a delayed reaction to a surprising or unusual situation after first failing to notice anything unusual
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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