second thought

American  

Or second-thought

noun

1. Often second thoughts. reservation about a previous action, position, decision, judgment, or the like.

   He had second thoughts about his decision.

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idioms

1. on second thought, after reconsideration.

   On second thought, I don't think I'll go.

second thought British  

noun

1. (usually plural) a revised opinion or idea on a matter already considered

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Etymology

Origin of second thought

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

second thought

It is in these jargon-rich, usually quiet meetings where so many data centers are approved without second thought.

From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026

But for Fatima, a 36-year-old German housewife travelling with her family, "there was no second thought" about coming to Mecca, Islam's holiest city.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

Cars, which we jump into every day without a second thought, are not as safe statistically.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 9, 2026

For most of basketball history, guards had routinely shot long 2-pointers without a second thought, even though taking one step back would yield a 50% greater return.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 16, 2025

Without a second thought, I said what I honestly felt—that it was, as I saw it, a case of ‘ ‘the chickens coming home to roost.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey