second (redirected from secondees)

*one's second wind 

1. Lit. one's stabilized breathing after exerting oneself for a short time. (*Typically: get ~; have ~.) John was having a hard time running until he got his second wind. Bill had to quit the race because he never got his second wind.

2. Fig. one's greater or renewed energy and productivity, gained at some time after starting. (*Typically: get ~; have ~.) I usually get my second wind early in the afternoon. Mary is a better worker after she has her second wind.

See also: wind

*second nature to someone

easy and natural for someone. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) Swimming is second nature to Jane. Flying a helicopter is no problem for Bob. It's become second nature to him.

See also: nature

*second thoughts (about someone or something)

new doubts about someone or something. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) I'm beginning to get second thoughts about Tom. You're giving me second thoughts about going there. I'm having second thoughts also.

See also: thought

*split second

an instant; a tiny period of time. (*Typically: for ~; in ~.) The lightning struck, and in a split second the house burst into flames. For a split second, it looked like she would fall.

See also: split

come off second best

to be second to someone or something; to get the poorer end of a bargain. As usual, he came off second best with a little less prize money than the winner. I don't want to come off second best again.

See also: best, come

in (just) a second and in (just) a minute

in a very short period of time. I'll be there in a second. I'll be with you in just a minute. I'm on the phone.

in one's second childhood

Fig. [of an adult] interested in things or people that normally interest children. My father bought himself a toy train, and my mother said he was in his second childhood. Whenever I go to the river and throw stones, I feel as if I'm in my second childhood.

in the second place

secondly; in addition. (Usually said after one has said in the first place.) In the first place, you don't have enough money to buy one. In the second place, you don't need one. In the first place, I don't have the time. In the second place, I'm not interested.

See also: place

on second thought

Fig. having given something more thought; having reconsidered something. On second thought, maybe you should sell your house and move into an apartment. On second thought, let's not go to a movie.

See also: thought

play second fiddle (to someone)

Fig. to be in a subordinate position to someone. I'm tired of playing second fiddle to John. I'm better trained than he, and I have more experience. I shouldn't always play second fiddle.

See also: fiddle, play

second hand

from another person or source, not directly from personal experience or observation. I wasn't present at the meeting. I heard about it at second hand. Frank tells stories about the Gulf War, but he got them second hand. He wasn't actually in the desert with the troops.

See also: hand

second to none

better than everything else. This is an excellent car—second to none. Her suggestion was second to none, and the manager accepted it eagerly.

See also: none

second-guess someone

to try to predict what some person will do before it is known to anyone, including the person. There is no point in trying to second-guess Bob. He is completely unpredictable.

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a second-class citizen

someone who is treated as if they are less important than other people in society Although she was married to an Australian, Louise couldn't get a work visa and it made her feel like a second-class citizen.

be second to none

to be better than anything or anyone else The hotel's restaurant facilities are second to none.

See also: none

come off second best

to be beaten in a competition or an argument I've given up arguing with my big brother because I always come off second best.

See also: best, come

get a/your second wind  (British, American & Australian) also get a/your second breath (American)

to suddenly have new energy to continue doing something after you were feeling tired After two hours we could hardly walk another step, but we got a second wind as we neared home.

See also: get, wind

have second thoughts

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

See also: have, thought

play second fiddle

if you play second fiddle to someone, they are in a stronger position or are more important than you (usually + to ) You'll have to choose between your wife and me. I won't play second fiddle to anyone.

See also: fiddle, play

second best

something that is not as good as the thing that you really want I know exactly what sort of apartment I'm looking for and I'm not going to settle for second best.

See also: best

second-guess somebody/something  

1. to try to guess what will happen or what someone will do It's not for us to second-guess the court's decision - we'll just have to wait and see.

2. to criticize someone's actions or an event after it has happened It's easy to second-guess the team's coach - but let's face it, he made big mistakes.

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 play second fiddle

See also: thought, without

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get a second wind also get your/its second wind

to have increased energy or strength after feeling tired or weak The automobile industry seems to have gotten a second wind. Fred somehow got his second wind about halfway through the race.

See also: get, wind

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.

Related vocabulary: on second thought

See also: have, thought

just a second See: just a minute

See also: just

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.

Related vocabulary: (but) then again

See also: thought

play second fiddle (to somebody/something)

to be in a less important position than someone or something else Radio has been playing second fiddle to television for decades now.

Usage notes: sometimes used without play

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of second fiddle (the lower part for a violin, a musical instrument with strings)

See also: fiddle, play

second to none

better than anything or anyone else The hotel's restaurant is second to none.

See also: none

wait a second (spoken)

I have just thought of something important wait a minute Wait a second - when was the last time he stayed here?

Usage notes: usually used to interrupt someone

See also: wait

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: thought, without