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
Blue yard signs popping up from Pennsylvania to Nevada prompt double takes, too.
—
Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
If those deliveries aren’t necessarily the sort of thing that’ll lead to a whole lot of double takes, bear in mind that this largely uncelebrated primetime cartoon scarcely managed to scare up 667,000 impressions during its previous first-run showing on Oct. 6.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Plenty of listeners likely did a double take when Parker McCollum’s new single premiered on radio stations and streaming playlists on Sept. 13.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2024
Trevor Rogers is the boom or bust acquisition of the bunch
The Rogers trade inspired double takes, in part because of the 26-year-old left-hander’s 4.53 ERA and in part because the Orioles gave up infielder Connor Norby and outfielder Kyle Stowers, both potential everyday players.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for double take 
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Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
If those deliveries aren’t necessarily the sort of thing that’ll lead to a whole lot of double takes, bear in mind that this largely uncelebrated primetime cartoon scarcely managed to scare up 667,000 impressions during its previous first-run showing on Oct. 6.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Plenty of listeners likely did a double take when Parker McCollum’s new single premiered on radio stations and streaming playlists on Sept. 13.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2024
Trevor Rogers is the boom or bust acquisition of the bunch
The Rogers trade inspired double takes, in part because of the 26-year-old left-hander’s 4.53 ERA and in part because the Orioles gave up infielder Connor Norby and outfielder Kyle Stowers, both potential everyday players.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for double take
Articles Related to double take
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 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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