double (redirected from Double or Quits)

do a double take

to react with surprise; to have to look twice to make sure that one really saw correctly. When the boy led a goat into the park, everyone did a double take. When the nurse saw that the man had six toes, she did a double take.

See also: take

double someone over

† to cause someone to bend at the waist. The blow to the back of the head doubled Steve over. The wind almost doubled over the children running for home.

double as someone or something

[for someone] to serve in two capacities. The chairman will have to double as CEO until we find a new one. This table doubles as a desk during busy times.

double back (on someone or something)

[for a person or animal] to reverse motion, moving toward (rather than away from) someone or something. (Refers primarily to a person or animal that is being pursued by someone or a group.) The deer doubled back on the hunter. The robber doubled back on the police, and they lost track of him. I doubled back on my own trail.

See also: back

double Dutch 

1. language or speech that is difficult or impossible to understand. This book on English grammar is written in double Dutch. I can't understand a word. Try to find a lecturer who speaks slowly, not one who speaks double Dutch.

2. a game of jumping rope using two ropes swung simultaneously in opposite directions. The girls were playing double Dutch in the schoolyard.

See also: Dutch

double over

[for a person] to bend at the waist. Suddenly, he doubled over and collapsed. The people in the audience doubled over with laughter.

double up (with laughter)

Fig. to laugh so hard that one bends over. We all just doubled up with laughter. I doubled up when I heard the punch line.

See also: up

double up (with someone)

to share with someone. We don't have enough books. Tom, will you double up with Jane? When we get more books, we won't have to double up anymore.

See also: up

on the double

very fast; twice as fast as normal. (Originally military. Alludes to "double time" in marching.) Get over here right now—on the double! She wants to see you in her office on the double.

see double

to see two of everything instead of one, owing to a medical disorder. When I was driving, I saw two people on the road instead of one. I'm seeing double. There's something wrong with my eyes. Mike at first thought he was seeing double when he saw Mary with her sister. He didn't know she had a twin.

See also: see

two-edged sword and double-edged sword

Fig. something that offers both a good and bad consequence. The ability to get your insurance to pay for it is a double-edged sword. They may raise your rates. Her authority in the company is a two-edged sword. She makes more enemies than allies.

See also: sword

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a double bind

a situation in which you cannot succeed because whatever you decide to do, there will be bad results Women find themselves in a double bind. If they stay at home with their kids they're regarded as non-achievers and if they go out to work, people say they're neglecting their family.

See also: bind

a double entendre

a word or phrase which has two different meanings, one of which is sexual or rude His speech at the dinner was full of bad jokes and double entendres.

a double whammy  (informal)

a situation where two bad things happen at the same time Critics claim that the cuts in public spending coupled with a pay freeze is a double whammy which will affect low-paid workers badly.

a double-edged sword

something that causes both advantages and problems His great intelligence was a real double-edged sword because he never felt he could communicate with ordinary people.

See also: sword

at the double  (British & Australian) also on the double (American & Australian)

if you go somewhere or do something at the double, you go there or do it very quickly Two surgeons arrived in the emergency room at the double.

do a double take

to look at something or someone twice because you are so surprised at what you have seen He walked past her and she did a double take. Without his beard he was quite transformed.

See also: take

double Dutch  (British & Australian)

speech or writing that is nonsense and cannot be understood He came out with a load of sophisticated grammatical codes and it all sounded like double Dutch.

See also: Dutch

double-dipping  (American)

the activity of receiving money from two different places or two different jobs, often when it is not honest or legal The government has introduced tighter rules on employees' pensions to discourage double-dipping. (American)

double-talk  (British, American & Australian) also double-speak (mainly American)

a way of speaking that confuses people in order to avoid telling them the truth He said the new train service would run fewer trains, but would provide a better service - sheer double-talk.

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do double duty

1. to do two jobs at one time Kudrow does double duty in the show, playing her regular role and the character's twin sister.

2. to be used for two different activities Three conference rooms do double duty as dining rooms when the main dining room is full.

See also: duty

double over also double up

to suddenly bend forward and down, usually because of pain or laughter A sudden, sharp pain made him double over.

double up (with somebody)

to share a room or or living situation with others The two boys will have to double up in the front bedroom.

See also: up

lead a double life

to have a second, secret life that is usually not socially acceptable The investigation uncovered details of Boley's double life, including secret bank accounts and a private post office box.

Usage notes: also used with the verb live: Nobody in France seemed to really care that he lived a double life.

See also: lead, life

on the double

very quickly Two doctors arrived on the double to treat the victims of the accident.