second-guess

A verb used to indicate the act of predicting or anticipating someone's actions or decisions, or to criticize or doubt a decision after it has been made.

• 🇩🇪Etwas im Voraus erraten oder vorwegnehmen, oder eine bereits getroffene Entscheidung nachträglich kritisieren oder anzweifeln.

1. Anticipate or predict B2 informal

   To try to predict what someone else will do or decide, often in order to act accordingly.

   • The coach tried to second-guess the opponent's strategy.
   • She second-guessed her boss's decision and prepared an alternative plan.
   • Investors often second-guess market trends.

   🇩🇪Vorausahnen

   Synonyme: anticipatedivineexpectforecastforeseeguessoutguesspredictpreempt

2. Evaluate or criticize with hindsight B2 informal

   To criticize or question a decision or action after it has been made, often with the benefit of knowing the outcome.

   • It's easy to second-guess the referee's call after watching the replay.
   • He spent hours second-guessing his choice of college.
   • Don't second-guess yourself; you made the best decision with the information you had.

   🇩🇪Kritik im Nachhinein

   Synonyme: challengecriticizefaultquestionreassessreevaluate

   Antonyme: approveendorsesupport

• second-guessed past participle
• second-guessed past simple
• second-guessing present participle
• second-guesses third person singular