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.

• 🇫🇷Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de prédire ou d'anticiper les actions ou décisions de quelqu'un, ainsi que pour critiquer ou remettre en question une décision une fois qu'elle a été prise.

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.

   🇫🇷Anticiper les décisions de quelqu'un

   Synonymes: 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.

   🇫🇷Critiquer avec le recul

   Synonymes: challengecriticizefaultquestionreassessreevaluate

   Antonymes: approveendorsesupport

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