triple-double
Low in general English, but medium in sports jargon.Informal, sports jargon.
Definition
Meaning
In basketball, a performance where a player achieves double-digit totals in three of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
Can refer to any similar achievement involving three double-figure totals, but is almost exclusively used in basketball contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A compound noun, typically hyphenated, denoting a specific statistical milestone in basketball that emphasizes versatility and all-around performance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an American English term due to basketball's popularity in the US; less common in British English where basketball is less prominent.
Connotations
Positive connotation, indicating an impressive and rare athletic achievement.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English, especially in sports media and discussions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Player + verb (e.g., recorded, achieved) + a triple-doubleTo have a triple-doubleVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; if analogously, to describe achieving multiple targets.
Academic
Used in sports science or statistics papers discussing basketball performance.
Everyday
Common in sports conversations among fans and commentators.
Technical
Specific to basketball statistics and analytics.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He managed to triple-double in last night's match.
- She is aiming to triple-double this season.
American English
- He triple-doubled against the Lakers.
- She's looking to triple-double in the playoffs.
adjective
British English
- It was a triple-double performance from the star player.
- They celebrated his triple-double game.
American English
- He had a triple-double night.
- Her triple-double effort led the team to victory.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The player got a triple-double in the game.
- A triple-double is good in basketball.
- He recorded a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists.
- Achieving a triple-double is a rare feat for most players.
- Her ability to consistently post triple-doubles makes her a valuable asset to the team.
- The coach emphasized the importance of all-around play, akin to striving for a triple-double.
- Analysing the frequency of triple-doubles across different eras reveals shifts in playing styles and statistical priorities.
- The phenom's propensity for triple-doubles has redefined expectations for guard play in modern basketball.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'triple' for three and 'double' for double digits: three categories with at least 10 each.
Conceptual Metaphor
Achievement as a multi-faceted gem, representing completeness and excellence in various aspects.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation might not convey the specific basketball meaning; it's a loanword often used as is.
- Avoid translating as 'тройной-двойной' without context.
Common Mistakes
- Using it outside of basketball without clarification.
- Misspelling as 'tripledouble' without hyphen.
- Confusing with 'double-double' which involves two categories.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'triple-double' specifically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, it is a term coined and almost exclusively used in basketball to describe a specific statistical achievement.
Informally, yes, especially in sports commentary, as in 'He triple-doubled last game.' However, it is more commonly used as a noun.
The five categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. A player must achieve double digits in any three of these.
It is relatively rare and considered a sign of an all-around excellent performance; only a few players achieve it frequently.