double take

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doub·le-take

or double take (dŭb′əl-tēm′)
n.
A delayed reaction to an unusual remark or circumstance after first either failing to notice anything unusual or reacting inappropriately, often performed as a comic device: "'Something's fishy,' Vidhu said again, with such a showboating shake of his head that I did a double take as I realized: he had some kind of inside scoop" (Katherine Russell Rich).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

double take

n
(Theatre) (esp in comedy) a delayed reaction by a person to a remark, situation, etc
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dou′ble take′


n.
a surprised delayed response, as to a person not recognized or a situation not grasped the first time.
[1935–40, Amer.]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.double take - a delayed reaction indicating surprise
response, reaction - a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent; "a bad reaction to the medicine"; "his responses have slowed with age"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

double take

n to do a double take (fig) → reagire a scoppio ritardato
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
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Each story is set up with perfect comedic timing, managing to evoke double takes and spontaneous laughter.
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August Dreams and Butterfly AUGUST dreams and butterfly Here you are in front of my eyes Some people went to Whitby, Seahouses and Benidorm August dreams I painted landscapes I paint the sky and cry Butterflies landed and bees took off The flip-flops and sandals August dreams of festivals and rides Play hide and seek with children What did I do on Sundays Some were lazy, some were incredible August dreams wild and free Freedom from slavery And peanut wages And making feature films August dreams beside a lake Taking double takes Feeding the ducks While children asked questions August dreams eating fish and chips The loss of weight on my mind Keeping the energy high And watching birds feed and fly KENNETH MOOD, Swalwell, Gateshead
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A ROAD side cafe which looks like a mobile Starbucks has been causing motorists on the A55 to do double takes.
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