doubled down

USAGE SUMMARY

"double down" is a phrase that is used in spoken and written English.
It generally means an intensification of an action or statement, intensifying a commitment to something or standing firm against opposition. For example: “After the criticism he received, Kevin doubled down on his controversial proposals.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We doubled down on it.

The Economist

Indeed, he doubled down on it.

The New Yorker

After losing Werth, Amaro doubled down on starting pitching.

The New York Times - Sports

In it, the Phillies have doubled down on pitching.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact he has doubled down on it.

The New York Times

Instead, they doubled down on their failed policies and ideas.

The New York Times

The sponsor obviously doubled down, with an added fillip.

The New York Times - Arts

That's why the players have doubled down and invested more".

The New York Times

No one played in four spades doubled down one.

The New York Times

"He's doubled down on a lot of things".

Independent

In the runoff, Mr. Davidzon doubled down on his endorsement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doubled down" when you want to convey a sense of increased commitment or reinforcement of a prior action or belief, especially in the face of opposition or uncertainty. It adds a layer of decisiveness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "doubled down" when the context requires a more nuanced response than simply reinforcing a previous action. It is not ideal for scenarios where flexibility or adaptation is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubled down" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the past tense of the idiom "double down". It signifies an intensification of effort or commitment, often in response to challenges or opposition. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is actively used to describe someone reinforcing a position.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doubled down" is a frequently used verb phrase that signifies reinforcing a commitment or action, particularly when facing opposition. Ludwig examples confirm its prevalence in news and media, highlighting its use in describing resolute decisions. While grammatically straightforward and widely accepted, it's important to use it in contexts where reinforcing a position is the appropriate response. Ludwig AI suggests that understanding its implications helps enhance clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reinforced their commitment

Highlights strengthening a dedication to something.

reaffirmed their stance

Focuses on restating a position more firmly.

intensified their efforts

Emphasizes increasing the level of activity.

reiterated their position

Stresses the act of repeating a statement for emphasis.

pushed harder

Focuses on applying more force or effort.

cemented their decision

Highlights making a firm and unchangeable choice.

stood their ground

Suggests resisting pressure to change position.

escalated their involvement

Indicates a heightened degree of participation or action.

pressed on

Implies continuing with determination despite obstacles.

stepped up their game

Suggests an improved performance or increased effort.

FAQs

How to use "doubled down" in a sentence?

You can use "doubled down" to describe reinforcing a commitment or belief, as in, "Despite the criticism, the company "doubled down" on its marketing strategy."

What can I say instead of "doubled down"?

You can use alternatives like "reaffirmed their stance", "reinforced their commitment", or "intensified their efforts" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "double down" or "doubled down"?

"Double down" is the base form, often used as an infinitive or in the present tense. "Doubled down" is the past tense and past participle form, used to describe an action that has already occurred.

What's the difference between "doubled down" and "persisted"?

"Doubled down" implies reinforcing a specific action or decision, while "persisted" simply means to continue despite difficulty. Doubling down suggests a proactive reinforcement, while persisting indicates enduring.