Definition

1. 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

1. consider and reconsider carefully
   • Think twice before you have a child