Meaning & use
double take
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Meaning
nouncountable
A delayed second glance after the first look suddenly seems to reveal something surprising or unexpected.
Grammar: Usually singular and almost always used after do: do a double take.
Patterns
- do a double take
- do a double take at something
- do a double take over something
- make someone do a double take
When the total appeared on the receipt, I did a double take.
She did a double take when she saw her old teacher driving a taxi.
His apology was so unusual that it made the whole room do a double take.
Word forms
| plural | double takes |
|---|
Common combinations
- do a double take
- I did a double take when the quiet waiter started singing.
- make someone do a double take
- The headline made many readers do a double take.
- a double take at something
- He did a double take at the mirror and adjusted his tie.
- an involuntary double take
- She gave an involuntary double take at the identical twins.
Synonyms and how they differ
- second look
- Means simply looking again; it lacks the sudden comic surprise after realizing something strange.
- look twice
- Very close, but more literal; a double take stresses the small delay before recognition.
- rub one's eyes
- A more dramatic reaction of disbelief; not just a repeated glance.
Commonly confused: double take or double-check? double take or second take?
double take vs double-check
Double-check means to verify again carefully; a double take is a surprised reaction, not checking.
double take vs second take
In filming, a second take is another attempt at the same scene; a double take is an expression of surprise.
Practice
When the usually serious manager walked in wearing a clown nose, everyone ______.
Choose one answer.
The natural fixed phrase is “do a double take,” meaning a surprised delayed reaction. “Made a double take” uses the wrong verb, “took a double” changes the phrase incorrectly, and “double-check” means verify again, not react with surprise.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “double take”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.