double over
Definition
- Verb:
- To bend the upper body forward and down at the waist, typically as an involuntary reaction to intense laughter, severe pain, or sudden illness.
Usage
- This verb describes a physical action where a person's torso folds forward. It is often used to depict a reaction so strong that one cannot remain upright.
- It is typically used in the past tense ("doubled over") to describe a completed action.
- The phrase can be followed by a prepositional phrase (e.g., "in pain," "with laughter") to specify the cause.
Examples
- Verb:
Advanced Usage
- "to be doubled over": This describes the state of being bent forward.
- The phrase can be used figuratively to describe objects or non-living things that are bent into a similar shape, though this is less common.
Variants and Related Words
- Double up (phrasal verb): Often used interchangeably with "double over," especially regarding pain or laughter. It can also mean to share something (e.g., a room).
- Bend over: A more general term for leaning forward at the waist, not necessarily due to a strong reaction.
- Curl up: To draw oneself into a rounded shape, often while sitting or lying down.
Synonyms
- Bend forward
- Fold up
- Hunch over
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Double up: As noted above, can be synonymous. It has the additional meaning of to share accommodation or to use something for two purposes.
Related Idioms
- Bent double: An idiom meaning completely bent over at the waist. It emphasizes the extreme degree of the bend.
Verb
-
bend over or curl up, usually with laughter or pain
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He doubled and vomited violently
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