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second-guess

 - 3 dictionary results

sec⋅ond-guess

  [sek-uhnd-ges]
Use second-guess in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to use hindsight in criticizing or correcting.
2. to predict (something) or outguess (someone): We must try to second-guess what he'll do next.
Origin:
1945–50

Related forms:
second-guesser, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To second-guess
sec·ond-guess   (sěk'ənd-gěs')
v.   sec·ond-guessed, sec·ond-guess·ing, sec·ond-guess·es

v.   tr.

  1. To criticize or correct after an outcome is known.

    1. To outguess.

    2. To predict or anticipate: "She can second-guess indictments" (Scott Turow).

v.   intr.
To criticize a decision after its outcome is known.
sec'ond-guess'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

second-guess  (v.)
1941, back-formation from second-guesser (1937), Amer.Eng., originally baseball slang for a fan who loudly questions decisions by players, managers, etc.; perhaps from guesser in the baseball slang sense of "umpire."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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