double take

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word double take. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word double take, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say double take in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word double take you have here. The definition of the word double take will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofdouble take, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: doubletake and double-take

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From take (“a visible (facial) response to something”) as used in acting, especially in comedy.

Noun

double take (plural double takes)

  1. An abrupt movement, used, for example, as a comical reaction to a surprising sight, in which someone casually sees something, briefly stops looking at it, realizes what it is, and snaps attention back to it with an expression of surprise or disbelief.
    Smith passes the car and does a double take as he realizes it is on fire.
    I swear I did a double-take when I spotted that $100 bill lying in the gutter!
    • 1949, Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr., Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, Cheaper by the Dozen:
      Once a neighbor complained that a Gilbreth had called the neighbor's boy a son of an unprintable word.“What are the facts of the matter?” Dad asked blandly. And then walked away while the neighbor registered a double take.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia