Meaning & use
seeing double
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Seeing two images of a single object, often because of illness, injury, or tiredness.
Grammar: Used after 'be' or verbs like 'start' and 'keep', and usually not with an object.
Patterns
- be seeing double
- start seeing double
- keep seeing double
After the blow to his head, he was seeing double for a few minutes.
If you are seeing double, sit down and tell someone.
I had not eaten all day and started seeing double.
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Confused because two things or people look exactly the same.
Grammar: Informal use, often about twins or identical items; still follows 'be' or 'keep'.
Patterns
- be seeing double
- keep seeing double
With the twins in matching coats, I thought I was seeing double.
Every time she passed the mirrors, she kept seeing double.
Common combinations
- be seeing double
- He stood up too fast and was seeing double.
- start seeing double
- Drink some water if you start seeing double.
- thought I was seeing double
- When the second identical van passed, I thought I was seeing double.
Synonyms and how they differ
- double vision
- The medical noun for the same condition; it fits better in formal or medical writing, while 'seeing double' is the everyday description.
Commonly confused: seeing double or double take?
seeing double vs double take
A 'double take' is a delayed second look at something surprising; 'seeing double' means actually seeing two images.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'seeing double' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase describes a visual condition and follows 'be', as in option B. The other options wrongly add an object after 'double', which the fixed phrase does not take.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “seeing double”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.