came back for seconds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came back for seconds" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of food, indicating that someone returned to get a second helping of a meal. Example: "After finishing his first plate, he came back for seconds because the food was so delicious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Some came back for seconds.

The New York Times

The food writer Jonathan Gold came back for seconds.

The New Yorker

Inevitably, you'd get the customers who came back for seconds, thirds, fourths and then fifths.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pochettino came back for seconds, too, invading the referee's personal space in the chest-out, no-nonsense style.

The Guardian - Sport

Donovan walked away, came back for seconds and then had to be led away by one of his own team-mates – all the while, no one from Houston, not even Ianni, cared to confront the LA forward.

The Guardian - Sport

My husband, who tends to shy away from any food that is green, came back for seconds.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Hill came back for second-half warm-ups, but was back in the locker room shortly after and did not return.

The New York Times - Sports

She was fourth in the fly, in 55.44, and then came back for third in the 100 breaststroke in 1 03.38.

Los Angeles Times

They eat and they come back for seconds.

The New York Times - Travel

"After skating it once, you will be coming back for seconds".

The New York Times

The chemicals are highly irritating, and discourage most creatures from coming back for seconds.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "came back for seconds" to vividly depict someone's enjoyment and satisfaction, especially in relation to food or experiences. It suggests a high level of appeal and desirability.

Common error

Avoid using "came back for seconds" in formal or technical writing where a more precise or professional term would be more suitable. For example, in a business report, use "requested additional resources" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came back for seconds" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used to describe someone returning for a second helping of food or, more broadly, seeking a repeat of a positive experience. As indicated by Ludwig, it is a well-understood and accepted phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came back for seconds" is a grammatically correct and recognizable idiom in English, typically used to indicate a desire for more of something, especially food. According to Ludwig, it is generally well-received and easily understood. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, and its register leans toward neutral to informal. While it effectively conveys enjoyment and satisfaction, it may not be suitable for highly formal or technical writing. Consider alternatives like ""returned for more"" for professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returned for more

Focuses on the act of returning, emphasizing the desire for additional quantity.

went back for another serving

Specifically refers to food and the action of getting an additional portion.

had a second helping

Indicates that someone took an additional portion of food.

asked for another round

Often used in the context of drinks or another set of something, but extendable to more situations.

sought a repeat

Highlights the desire for the same experience to happen again.

wanted an encore

Typically used for performances, suggesting a desire for more from the performer.

craved more

Emphasizes a strong desire or longing for something additional.

repeated the experience

Focuses on the action of doing something again

duplicated the action

Emphasizes the copying or repeating of an action

revisited the moment

Highlights returning to a past situation.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "came back for seconds"?

It typically means that someone enjoyed something so much, especially food, that they wanted a second serving or experience. It implies a high level of satisfaction.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "came back for seconds"?

It's appropriate in informal contexts, such as describing a delicious meal or an enjoyable event. Avoid using it in formal or technical writing.

What can I say instead of "came back for seconds"?

You can use alternatives like "returned for more", "went back for another serving", or "had a second helping" depending on the context.

Is "came back for seconds" grammatically correct?

Yes, "came back for seconds" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English.