Idioms

secondhand

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at second hand

Not from the original source. Are you sure that Susie and Bill are selling their house? I mean, you only heard that at second hand from Anita. But you heard that at second hand. Until Ms. Martinez herself says we're not having a quiz today, I'm still studying. I wouldn't put too much stock in a rumor that Bill heard at second hand, OK?
See also: hand, second

secondhand

1. adverb Indirectly, as opposed to from the original source. But I heard secondhand, so who knows if that information is actually true.
2. adjective Describing information that has been learned indirectly, as opposed to from the original source. I can't trust this secondhand gossip! Who was in the meeting and can tell us what really happened?

secondhand information

Information that has been learned indirectly, as opposed to from the original source. I can't rely on secondhand information like this! Who was in the meeting and can tell us what really happened? We'll have to rely on secondhand information from individual retail outlets until we can get official sales figures from the company.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

at second hand

Received from some source other than the original. For example, I learned of Mary's divorce at second hand. This phrase may be applied to information or to previously owned merchandise. [1400s] Also see at first hand.
See also: hand, second
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

at second hand

by hearsay rather than direct observation or experience.
See also: hand, second
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive
"Second-hand smoke exposure at home or in the workplace is still prevalent despite legislative actions prohibiting public smoking.
Affiliated Network for Social Accountability executive director Sorn Chey said for the initiative to be effective, the government would need to gradually eliminate second-hand electronic products and reduce the tax on the import of brand-new, high-quality ones so that people who have a decent income can afford them.
He said policymakers should use the findings to help achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2034, adding:"We've come a long way and these figures suggest policies and changes in how we treat smoking mean about 2.3 million additional adults in Scotland are no longer breathing in second-hand smoke compared to 1998.
"This is the first study to identify an association between childhood exposure to second-hand smoke and death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in middle age and beyond," said W.
Imports of cheap second-hand clothes from the West have had an impact on local clothes manufacturers - but so have changes in world trade policies and the rise of Asian garment producers.
The global tobacco epidemic kills more than 7 million people each year, of which close to 9,00,000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute - which polices the safety of what's on sale - warns "second-hand electrical retailers who sell faulty goods are putting lives at risk".
A 2017 study by Esther Katende on the impact of second-hand clothing on the East African region states: "In the 1960s to the early 1980s, the clothing and shoes industrial sector in East Africa was thriving and producing for both the local markets as well as the export market, and employing thousands of people.
If you buy second-hand goods online from a trader then you are covered by The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and this means that if you don't like what you have ordered for any reason you can cancel and get a full refund.
The Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi has revised customs values on the import of second-hand clothes and other items, including leather bags, jackets, belts, shoes, toys and kitchen wares, resulting in 14 percent increase in prices of such imported items.
Otherwise, the second-hand vehicles from Germany imported in Macedonia might increase in price given the fact that some exporters don't issue confirmation that the vehicles are manufactured in the European Union.
An anti-cigarette smoking group urged the public to organize and host no-smoking Christmas parties and gatherings to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.
The Question: Does exposure to second-hand smoke by pregnant women affect their baby's neuromuscular development at 18 months of age?
The Fresh Start Wales team and their mascot, Patch the dragon, will be visiting Wrexham and Rhyl in March to educate families about smoking in cars and how they can protect children from the risks of second-hand smoke.
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