thought

not give something a second thought

without a second thought - if you do something without a second thought, you do it without thinking about whether or not you should. He'd fire you if he had to - he wouldn't give it a second thought.

See also: give, second

give someone food for thought

to make someone think seriously about something. What you've suggested has certainly given me food for thought.

See also: food, give

give someone pause (for thought) (formal)

if something gives you pause, it is surprising or worrying and it makes you think more carefully about something. It was a tragedy which gave us all pause for thought.

See also: give

have second thoughts

if you have second thoughts about something, you change your opinion or start to have doubts about it. You're not having second thoughts about coming to Brighton with me, are you? (often + about)

See also: second

I thought as much!

something that you say when you discover that something you thought was true is really true. So they are having an affair? I thought as much!

See also: much

on second thoughts (British & Australian, American & Australian)

have second thoughts - if you have second thoughts about something, you change your opinion or start to have doubts about it. I'll have tea, please - on second thoughts, make that coffee.

See also: second

A penny for your thoughts.

something that you say in order to ask someone who is being very quiet what they are thinking about. 'A penny for your thoughts.' 'Oh, I was just thinking about how to tell him I'm leaving.'

See also: penny

Perish the thought!

something that you say which means you hope very much that something does not happen. If his father came to live with us, perish the thought, I can't imagine what strain that would put on our relationship.

a train of thought

a series of connected thoughts. You interrupted my train of thought - Now I can't remember what I was going to say.

See also: train

without a second thought

if you do something without a second thought, you do it without thinking about whether or not you should. She doesn't worry about money - she'll spend a hundred pounds on a dress without a second thought.

See also: second, without

---

food for thought

something worth thinking about seriously. Thanks for your suggestion — it gave us lots of food for thought.

See also: food

give someone pause

to cause someone to stop and think carefully. Surviving a serious car wreck is an experience that really gives you pause.

See also: give

have second thoughts

to consider changing a decision you have already made. Sean Elliott appears to be having second thoughts about retirement. Some of the biggest companies are having second thoughts about jumping into the Internet access business.

on second thought

See also: second

lost in thought

not aware of what is happening around you because you are thinking about something else. I didn't answer right away because I was lost in thought.

See also: lost

on second thought

after having thought about something again. On second thought we decided that it would be too expensive to fly, so we took a bus instead.

(but) then again

have second thoughts

See also: second

a penny for your thoughts

I would like to know what you are thinking about. For several minutes they sat silently, then finally she looked at him and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Walter.”

See also: penny

perish the thought

do not even think about it. I don't think either parent would ever, perish the thought, tell that kid “no.”

who would have thought

I am very surprised at what has happened. Who would have thought that this disaster would affect so many members of our community?

See also: who

without a second thought

without stopping to consider whether something is wise or right. She doesn't worry about money — she'll spend a hundred bucks on a dress without a second thought.

See also: second, without