double-book
C1Informal to Neutral. Common in business, hospitality, and everyday scheduling contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To make two reservations, appointments, or commitments for the same time period, either by accident or intentionally, causing a scheduling conflict.
To over-commit a resource (like a room, seat, or person's time) by assigning it to more than one client or event simultaneously.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term implies a failure or risk in a booking system, leading to a situation where at least one party will be disappointed. It can be transitive (double-book a room) or intransitive (I double-booked). It often carries a negative connotation of poor management.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. Spelling: Typically hyphenated in both. The concept is identical.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties, implying disorganization or over-ambitious scheduling.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both varieties, especially in service industries.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] double-books [Object (resource)][Subject] double-books [Object (resource)] with [Indirect Object (party)][Subject] is double-bookedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be double-booked (adj. phrase)”
- “A double-booking (noun)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to scheduling conflicts for meetings, conference rooms, or consultant time.
Academic
Rare; might refer to booking lecture halls or supervisor appointments.
Everyday
Common for personal appointments, restaurant tables, haircuts, etc.
Technical
Used in logistics, hotel/reservation system software, and project management.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The hotel clerk managed to double-book the last executive suite.
- I'm afraid I've double-booked myself for Thursday lunch.
American English
- The salon's software glitch caused them to double-book my stylist.
- Don't double-book the conference room without checking the calendar.
adjective
British English
- I'm completely double-booked for the entire fortnight.
- The diary shows a double-booked slot at 3 PM.
American English
- She's double-booked, so we need to reschedule.
- We have a double-booked appointment that needs fixing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Sorry, I can't come. I double-booked and have a doctor's appointment.
- The restaurant apologised profusely after they double-booked our table.
- The consultant's chaotic schedule led her to double-book several key client meetings, damaging her professional reputation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **book** with **double** the entries on the same page – it's messy and confusing, just like a double-booking.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE / SCHEDULING IS ACCOUNTING (booking entries in a ledger). A double-booking is a faulty accounting entry.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'двойная книга'. Use 'забронировать дважды на одно время' or 'совпадающая запись'.
- The adjective 'double-booked' is a state, not an action: 'I am double-booked' = 'У меня две встречи в одно время'.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a noun without '-ing' (incorrect: 'I have a double-book'; correct: 'I have a double-booking').
- Confusing with 'book double' which could mean to reserve something of double size.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely consequence of double-booking?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, e.g., 'I'm sorry, I double-booked.' Here, the object (myself, my time) is implied.
Very close, but 'overbook' often implies booking MORE than capacity (e.g., airlines), while 'double-book' specifically implies TWO bookings for the SAME single resource/slot.
'Double-booking' (with a hyphen). Example: 'The double-booking was due to a system error.'
Almost never. It inherently describes an error or a risky practice. Intentionally double-booking as a strategy (e.g., expecting cancellations) is seen as unethical.