think twice
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To carefully consider and reconsider a decision or action, especially before doing something that might be risky or have serious consequences. It implies a high degree of caution and deliberation.
Usage
- Primary Usage: Used to advise or describe the act of pausing for careful thought before proceeding.
- You should think twice before making such a large investment.
- I thought twice about accepting the job after I learned about the long commute.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- "to make someone think twice": To cause someone to reconsider or become cautious.
- The high price made me think twice about buying it.
- The recent accident should make everyone think twice about not wearing a seatbelt.
Variants and Related Words
- Reconsider (verb): To think about something again, especially with a view to changing a decision.
- Deliberate (verb): To engage in long and careful consideration.
Synonyms
- Pause and reflect
- Weigh carefully
- Have second thoughts (This is a close synonym but can imply a change of mind, whereas "think twice" emphasizes the caution before acting.)
Related Phrases
- Look before you leap: An idiom with a similar meaning of advising caution before action.
- Better safe than sorry: An idiom expressing that caution is preferable to dealing with negative consequences later.
Verb
- consider and reconsider carefully
- Think twice before you have a child