VOA词汇掌故2023--Seeing 'Double'?

Seeing 'Double'?

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

Today we talk about one of those English words that changes meaning depending on the words added to it. "Double" is just such a word.

It is such a useful word that we should discuss it on the double! That means quickly. If I say, "Get here on the double," it means get here as soon as you can. Please.

But that is just one of the many uses of this versatile¹ word.

"Double" means two of something. So, if you double up on something, you increase the amount by two. For example, if I plan to enter a swimming race, I might want to double up on my training. So, if I train one hour a day, I would increase my training to two hours a day.

Now, if you add "down" to "double" you get something completely different. If you double down, you stick to a position or undertaking² even if it is not a good one. You are not willing to change your position at all. For example, instead of apologizing for a poorly worded statement, the politician doubled down and said it again. Here, we could also say he dug in his heels.

Now, if something does double duty is serves two purposes. For example, an exercise bike serves double duty if I can also dry my towels on it. People can also do double duty. That means they do two jobs or the work of two people.

Let's combine "double" with the word "back." If you double back, you turn around and come back the same way that you came. One time I took a hike and got a little lost. So, instead of continuing, I just doubled back: I returned the way that I came.

A delayed reaction to something that takes you by surprise is called a double take. We usually say do a double take. For example, I did a double take when I saw my co-worker after a year. She had a new haircut and a tattoo³. I had to double-check if it was even her. When I looked again and made sure it was my friend, I told her how much I liked her tattoo. Then she doubled over with laughter. As it turns out, it was a temporary tattoo. When we double over, we bend over and cannot stand up straight because of laughter or from pain.

For some reason, certain "double" words are not good.

For example, double-crossing someone means to cheat them. A double-cross is a betrayal⁴. We could also use the word double-dealing which has a similar meaning.

Double talk is language that appears to be meaningful but, in fact, is a mixture of sense and nonsense. And doublespeak is language used to trick people by hiding some of the truth.

A double standard is a set of principles or rules that apply differently and usually more severely⁵ to one group of people than to another. For example, people are not surprised if an older man dates a much younger woman. However, those same people may criticize a woman who dates a much younger man. That is a common double standard because the outcomes⁶ are so different.

And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. I hope you enjoyed this exploration of the many word combinations using "double." You may want to double up on your English lessons by practicing with the combinations of this very useful word.

Words in This Story

versatile –adj. something with many different uses

dig in –v. to take a position and to be unwilling⁷ to give up that position

tattoo –n. a permanent picture written in ink on a person's skin

betrayal –n. to hurt someone who trusts you or who can expect you to deal with them honestly or impartially⁸ by moral or ethical⁹ rules

principle –n. (often pl.) a moral rule or belief that people use to decide what is right and what is wrong

1 versatile   

adj.通用的，万用的；多才多艺的，多方面的

参考例句：

• A versatile person is often good at a number of different things.多才多艺的人通常擅长许多种不同的事情。
• He had been one of the game's most versatile athletes.他是这项运动中技术最全面的运动员之一。

2 undertaking   

n.保证，许诺，事业

参考例句：

• He gave her an undertaking that he would pay the money back with in a year.他向她做了一年内还钱的保证。
• He is too timid to venture upon an undertaking.他太胆小，不敢从事任何事业。

3 tattoo   

n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于

参考例句：

• I've decided to get my tattoo removed.我已经决定去掉我身上的纹身。
• He had a tattoo on the back of his hand.他手背上刺有花纹。

4 betrayal   

n.背叛，暴露

参考例句：

• Any deviation from the party's faith is seen as betrayal.任何对党的信仰的偏离被视作背叛。
• His defection to the other side was the ultimate betrayal.他变节投向另一方是最终的背叛。

5 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。

6 outcomes   

结果( outcome的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The two scenarios provide illustrations of consistent set of outcomes for range of possible policies. 这两个方案说明某一套可能采取的政策将会产生的一系列后果。
• We analyzed all the possible outcomes of your mission, Commander. 我们分析过所有可能的结果，指挥官。

7 unwilling   

adj.不情愿的

参考例句：

• The natives were unwilling to be bent by colonial power.土著居民不愿受殖民势力的摆布。
• His tightfisted employer was unwilling to give him a raise.他那吝啬的雇主不肯给他加薪。

8 impartially   

adv.公平地，无私地

参考例句：

• Employers must consider all candidates impartially and without bias. 雇主必须公平而毫无成见地考虑所有求职者。
• We hope that they're going to administer justice impartially. 我们希望他们能主持正义，不偏不倚。

9 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。