double take

Definitions

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.

Equivalents

Examples

“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!”

“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⟳.”

CEFR level