on second thought

Meaning

This phrase is used to announce that you have changed your mind or made a different decision after thinking about something again. It is highly conversational and helps transition smoothly between ideas.

Examples

• I'll have a coffee, please. Actually, on second thought, make that an iced tea.

  I'll have a coffee, please. Actually, on second thought, make that an iced tea.

• I was going to walk home, but on second thought, I'll take a taxi because of the rain.

  I was going to walk home, but on second thought, I'll take a taxi because of the rain.

• Let's go to the beach today. On second thought, it looks like it might storm later.

  Let's go to the beach today. On second thought, it looks like it might storm later.

• I thought about buying the shoes, but on second thought, they are too expensive.

  I thought about buying the shoes, but on second thought, they are too expensive.

• We could host the party at our place, but on second thought, a restaurant would be easier.

  We could host the party at our place, but on second thought, a restaurant would be easier.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ In second thought, I will stay home.

  ✓ On second thought, I will stay home.

  The idiom strictly uses the preposition 'on'. Avoid using 'in' or 'by'.

• ✗ On second thoughts, let's go.

  ✓ On second thought, let's go.

  While British English sometimes accepts the plural 'thoughts', standard American English and international business English prefer the singular 'thought'. Stick to 'thought' for consistency.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'll take the blue shirt. Actually, ___ , the red one looks better.

  💡 Use this to show you just changed your mind.

  Show answer

  on second thought

• We planned to go out, but ___ , we decided to order pizza and stay in.

  💡 After reconsidering the plan.

  Show answer

  on second thought