double vision
C1Medical / Formal / Figurative
Definition
Meaning
A medical condition where a person sees two overlapping images of a single object.
Metaphorically, a state of confusion, uncertainty, or inability to distinguish between two similar options or perspectives.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. The figurative use is an extension of the medical concept, implying a split or confused perception in non-physical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is standard in both medical and general English.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. The figurative use is equally understood.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in general discourse in American English due to higher prevalence in popular media metaphors.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have double visionsee doubleresult in double visionVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Seeing double (informal for being drunk or extremely tired)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The merger created a double vision of our brand strategy that confused the market.'
Academic
Used in medical, psychological, or literary analysis texts to describe perceptual disorders or theoretical conflicts.
Everyday
Used literally to describe a health symptom or jokingly after drinking too much.
Technical
A symptom of conditions like strabismus, concussion, or nerve palsy. Measured in prism dioptres.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- He was diagnosed with a double-vision disorder.
American English
- She experienced double-vision symptoms after the impact.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- When I'm very tired, I sometimes see double.
- The doctor said his double vision might be caused by the medication.
- The novel presents a deliberate narrative double vision, forcing the reader to hold two conflicting truths simultaneously.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DOUBLE decker bus; if you see two of them overlapping, you have double VISION.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFUSION IS IMPAIRED VISION / INDECISION IS SEEING DOUBLE
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'двойное зрение' in overly formal medical contexts; the standard term is 'диплопия'. The calque is understood but marked as non-technical.
- The figurative use does not map directly to a common Russian metaphor; may require explanation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'double vision' as an adjective without a hyphen (e.g., 'a double vision problem' should be 'a double-vision problem').
- Confusing with 'tunnel vision'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'double vision' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Double vision (diplopia) means seeing two distinct images. Blurred vision means the image is out of focus but singular.
No, it is a noun. The related verb phrase is 'to see double'.
It is acceptable in formal analytical writing (e.g., literary criticism, business analysis) as a metaphorical extension.
Seek immediate medical attention, as it can indicate a serious neurological or vascular issue.