on second thought
20
3.9
- idiom
:
pensándolo bien
- I decided to stay home; on second thought, I realized I might miss an important event.
- On second thought, maybe
- Actually, on second thought
- Uh, on second thought
This particular juror said on second thought, she can't be fair and impartial.
- This particular juror said on second thought, she can't be fair and impartial.
- Actually, on second thought, smells like a some kind of like Christmas cookie for a thin mint.
- But you know, on second thought, I'm like, is there normally like a like a little thing sticking out of the mail end of a PCI Express connector?
Examples
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On second thought, I'll bet it's that photographer they've been talking about at the café.
Fiction book (1992) -
The contents of this letter could change their lives forever, but on second thought, Elaine realized that had already happened.
Fiction book (1996) -
You know, on second thought, I think I will then.
-
On second thought, actually, you should go.
-
On second thought, he began to wonder whether they had kept a file on him all the time.
Fiction book (1996) -
On second thought, I'll hang on to this one.
-
On second thought, I'll be right back!
-
Okay, on second thought, maybe the third party's not such a good idea.
Blog text (9) -
On second thought, I've got 20 minutes till my next meeting.
-
On second thought, I'm glad you're not coming.
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to reconsider' follows directly from combining 'second' (another) with 'thought' (an instance of thinking) and the preposition 'on' meaning 'upon' — literally 'upon a second thought'. This compositional pattern is common across languages and thus a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
On second thought comes from the simple image of thinking twice: after your first idea you get a second thought that makes you change your mind. So it is used when you have 'changed your mind'.