second thought
35
3.6
- noun
- /ˈsɛkənd θɔt/
- Look, I'm having second thoughts about this whole confession thing.
- give a second thought
- get a second thought
- never a second thought
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Watch on YouTubeAnd the cops do that with, without a second thought.
- And the cops do that with, without a second thought.
- So this is probably the second thought that came after I started minimizing possessions.
- 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.
- And then I have a little second thought about Friedel crafts reactions that I'll give to you.
Examples
-
On second thought, actually, you should go.
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On second thought, I'll be right back!
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In fact, I do not think they have given you a second thought since you showed up.
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On second thought, he began to wonder whether they had kept a file on him all the time.
Fiction book (1996) -
Don't give them a second thought.
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On second thought, I've got 20 minutes till my next meeting.
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No, on second thought, maybe we shouldn't call the police.
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On second thought, I need you to drop me off at Ramona's - as soon as we get there!
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Actually, on second thought, if they're your fish, they will probably be fine.
Blog text (13) -
After considering my options, I had a second thought and decided to stay home instead.
Synonyms
73
3.6
Doubts or a change of mind about a decision you already made
9
3.9
To think again about a decision to maybe change it
4
4.2
A time of thinking again about a decision to change it
4
4.8
The act of looking again at something to decide how important it is
Antonyms
How Doubtful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an act of reconsidering' follows directly from combining 'second' (a subsequent one) with 'thought' (an idea), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to another or subsequent idea about the same matter. This ordinal + mental-state composition is common and matches the frequent pattern 'on second thought', making it immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Second thought comes from the simple idea of having a second thought after the first one, a new idea that makes you pause. So it means 'to reconsider' or 'to change your mind'.