Double up as Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈdəbəɫ/ /ˈəp/ /ˈæz/, /ˈɛz

DUH-buhl UP az

UK

dˈʌbəl/ /ˈʌp/ /ˈæs

DUH-buhl UP as

Definition

To have one thing, person, or place serve two different functions at the same time; when something is used as or acts as something else in addition.

Usage & Nuances

Usually informal; used to describe objects, people, or places with an extra, secondary use: 'sofa that doubles up as a bed.' Commonly used with 'as' to introduce the secondary function. Not the same as 'double' (multiply by two).

• Spanish: servir también como - hacer doble función como
• Portuguese (BR): servir também como - fazer dupla função como
• Portuguese (PT): servir também como - fazer dupla função como
• Chinese (Simplified): 兼作 - 兼任
• Chinese (Traditional): 兼作 - 兼任
• Hindi: एक और काम करना
• Arabic: يؤدي دور آخر - يعمل كـ
• Bengali: দ্বৈত কাজ করা - একইসাথে অন্য কিছু হওয়া
• Russian: совмещать с - выполнять двойную функцию
• Japanese: 兼ねる - 兼用する
• Vietnamese: kiêm luôn - làm thêm vai trò
• Korean: 겸하다 - 겸용하다
• Turkish: aynı zamanda ... olarak da işlev görmek
• Urdu: ایک اور کام کرنا - دوہرا کردار ادا کرنا
• Indonesian: merangkap sebagai - berfungsi ganda sebagai

Example Sentences

This sofa doubles up as a bed.

basic

My phone doubles up as a flashlight.

basic

The guest room doubles up as a study.

basic

Those boxes double up as seats during parties.

natural

Our chef doubles up as the manager on weekends.

natural

Sometimes, the living room doubles up as my office when I work from home.

natural