double-book

Reserve twice simultaneously

To double-book is to schedule two conflicting commitments for the same time slot: I accidentally double-booked myself and had to cancel dinner.

The term comes from reservations—a restaurant or airline that double-books accepts more bookings than available seats, risking having to turn someone away.

scheduling-conflict

overlap

Partial coincidence of coverage

clashViolent disagreement or collision
collisionForceful contact between objects
overlappingCovering part of another

time-slot · appointment · reservation · calendar · schedule · meeting · engagement · slot · timetable · commitment

intentional

overbooking

Accepting excess reservations

airlinesCommercial flight operators
hotelsCommercial lodging establishments
strategyPlanned approach to goals

hedge · backup · insurance · contingency · calculated · deliberate · profit · no-show · cancellation · oversell

overcommitment

overscheduled

Having too many appointments

overextendedBeyond sustainable capacity
overbookedExceeded available capacity
overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume

juggle · stretched · demanding · hectic · busy · full · packed · obligations · commitments · appointments

mistake

oversight

Supervision or inadvertent omission

errorFault in communication
blunderFoolish, costly mistake
slip-upSmall unintended error

mix-up · miscalculation · snafu · foul-up · gaffe · misstep · accident · careless · forgetful · unintentional

Opposites

availability management

double-bookhold open

underbook · keep clear · turn away

scheduling integrity

double-bookblock off

Close to prevent passage

planning quality

double-bookplan ahead

Arrange things in advance

Family

double, book, doubled, doubles, doubling, doubly, booked, books, booking

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G