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
Also spotted in the crowd: Miles Teller, Andy Cohen and designer James Perse — though none drew as many double takes as the former speaker of the House, who was clearly leaning into the vibe.
—
Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
As Ward thrived, first at Incarnate Word, then at Washington State, those same college coaches were forced to do a double take.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 30 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for double take
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Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
As Ward thrived, first at Incarnate Word, then at Washington State, those same college coaches were forced to do a double take.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 30 July 2025
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
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 21 Aug. 2025.
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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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