double-decker bus

Meaning

A double-decker bus is a bus that has two levels or decks. They are iconic in cities like London but are used worldwide for both public transit and sightseeing tours. Sitting on the top deck offers passengers a great view of the city.

Examples

• We managed to get seats at the very front of the double-decker bus.

  We managed to get seats at the very front of the double-decker bus.

• Taking a red double-decker bus is a must-do experience when visiting London.

  Taking a red double-decker bus is a must-do experience when visiting London.

• The double-decker bus was so tall it almost hit the low-hanging tree branches.

  The double-decker bus was so tall it almost hit the low-hanging tree branches.

• Is this double-decker bus going towards the British Museum?

  Is this double-decker bus going towards the British Museum?

• My kids always insist on sitting upstairs whenever we ride a double-decker bus.

  My kids always insist on sitting upstairs whenever we ride a double-decker bus.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We went on a double-deck bus.

  ✓ We went on a double-decker bus.

  While 'double-deck' is occasionally used as an adjective, the standard noun phrase for the vehicle itself is 'double-decker bus' or simply 'double-decker'.

• ✗ Let's sit on the second floor of the bus.

  ✓ Let's sit on the top deck of the bus.

  Native speakers refer to the levels of a bus as 'decks' (top deck / bottom deck or upstairs / downstairs) rather than 'floors'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want a great view of London, you should sit on the top deck of a ___.

  💡 A bus with two levels.

  Show answer

  double-decker bus

• The children love riding the ___ because they can sit upstairs.

  💡 A two-story bus.

  Show answer

  double-decker bus