give it a second thought—reassess an opinion or decision previously made:
- You may think this will happen in the distant future but if you give it a second thought you’ll realize it is already happening.
Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase don’t give it a second thought—(also: don’t give it a thought)
1. dismiss it from your mind; let that not worry you:
- Don’t give it a second thought, until you are a lot older and have more experience.
2. is used to indicate that thanks are unnecessary:
- Oh, don’t give it a second thought, Hun! Actually I should be thanking you!
3. is used as a polite way of accepting apolog y:
- I looked at her and said graciously: “Please don’t give it a second thought. I wasn’t offended.”
have second thoughts—(also: get second thoughts) realize that one may be mistaken; have doubts:
- I am starting to have second thoughts about my purchase based on what I am reading here.
Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase have another think coming—used of a need to reconsider one’s plans or opinions:
- Those who think Carter is still respectable company should have another think coming.
See also: think again / think twice.