double take
Delayed reaction of surprise
A double take is a delayed reaction where someone looks away from something and then quickly looks back, having just registered its significance.
The phrase suggests the brain needing two attempts to process what it saw: He did a double take when he noticed his ex at the party.
Often used for comic effect in film.
Joke told through action
- pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
- reaction shotShot showing observer's response
- timingArt of choosing moments
- punchlineHumor's final delivery
physical comedy · mugging · exaggerated reaction · slow burn · bug-eyed · hamming · shtick · deadpan
Abruptly surprised or alarmed
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- shockedDeeply startled or appalled
- wide-eyedShowing naive amazement
- gaspSudden sharp breath
jolt · freeze · blink · stare · gape · goggle · slack-jawed · taken aback
Inability to accept something
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- doubtLack of firm belief
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
bafflement · perplexity · questioning · suspicion · mistrust · puzzlement · uncertainty · second-guessing
Perceiving something as known
- dawningFirst light emerging
- aha momentSudden flash of understanding
- clickBrief sharp noise
- delayed reactionResponse after a pause
sinking in · comprehension · processing · registering · connecting dots
sight gag
Joke told through action
- pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
- reaction shotShot showing observer's response
- timingArt of choosing moments
punchline · physical comedy · mugging · exaggerated reaction · slow burn · bug-eyed · hamming · shtick · deadpan · zany
startled
Abruptly surprised or alarmed
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- shockedDeeply startled or appalled
- wide-eyedShowing naive amazement
gasp · jolt · freeze · blink · stare · gape · goggle · slack-jawed · taken aback · caught off guard
incredulity
Inability to accept something
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- doubtLack of firm belief
- bewildermentState of being baffled
confusion · bafflement · perplexity · questioning · suspicion · mistrust · puzzlement · uncertainty · second-guessing · distrust
recognition
Perceiving something as known
- dawningFirst light emerging
- aha momentSudden flash of understanding
- clickBrief sharp noise
delayed reaction · sinking in · comprehension · processing · registering · connecting dots
- comedy termsjokes, puns, wit, sarcasm, irony
- astonishmentamazement, awe, wonder, wonderstruck, awestruck
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- body languagegestures, facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, nodding
- comedy elementspunchline, wit, gag, satire, irony
- comedy tropespratfall, parody, sight gag, running gag, satire
double takeobliviousness
Lack of awareness
nonreaction · blank stare · indifference · overlooking · nonchalance
take, double, taking, doubled, takes, doubling, doubles, taker, doubler