not given a second thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not given a second thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was not considered or contemplated at all before making a decision or taking action. Example: "She decided to quit her job without being given a second thought about the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

By contrast, we not only insist that a third of the work force labor while sleep-deprived, but we often stigmatize the drowsy employee: an employee snack is not given a second thought while a nap may result in dismissal.

The New York Times

Buddy Crevasse of the Alachua County Sheriff's Department said he had not given a second thought to his loss in the 1992 race for sheriff, even though he lost by a margin of less than two percentage points.

The New York Times

It's the sort of thing not given a second thought at most firms.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Eaton did not give a second thought to his injured toe, nor to his class's underwhelming past.

The New York Times - Sports

As Mr MacInnes presents him, the teenager is the only person who does not give a second thought to barriers of race, colour, and creed.

The Guardian

Both carriers are hugely popular with international travellers, who do not give a second thought to the culture of the home country, other than to appreciate their levels of service.

The Economist

Were it mass appeal that determined Luis Suárez's future he would not give a second thought to leaving Liverpool, greeted in Dublin with a fervour and reverence that has been commonplace on their global travels this summer.

The Guardian - Sport

I believe he'd keep the jeans on, not giving a second thought to the coffee stain that looked like a rorschach test covering most of his thigh.

Vice

I often wonder why the same people who are so up in arms about the burkini debacle in France, do not give a second thought to the mandatory veiling of women in Iran?

Vice

The availability of health care benefits is just one example among many of the rights that straight couples completely take for granted and do not give a second thought to.

Huffington Post

But I'd also take frequent trips to Marshall's and not give a second thought about the clothes, shoes and accessories I happily threw on the cashier's counter.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not given a second thought" to clearly convey that something was entirely disregarded or not considered important. For impact, place it strategically within your sentence to emphasize what was overlooked.

Common error

Avoid using "not given a second thought" when something was considered briefly but then dismissed. This phrase indicates a complete lack of consideration, not a fleeting one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not given a second thought" functions as a descriptive idiom. It is used to emphasize that something was completely disregarded or not considered important in a particular situation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not given a second thought" is a commonly used expression to convey that something was entirely disregarded or lacked consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news and media. To ensure clarity, use it to emphasize complete disregard, and consider alternatives like "not considered at all" for similar meanings. Avoid using it for brief considerations. The phrase is a useful tool for highlighting oversight or lack of importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not considered at all

Emphasizes the complete absence of consideration.

dismissed out of hand

Highlights a rejection without any serious consideration.

paid no attention to

Focuses on the lack of attention given to something.

overlooked completely

Indicates that something was entirely missed or ignored.

never crossed my mind

Expresses that something was never a consideration.

not a priority

Highlights the low importance assigned to something.

treated as insignificant

Focuses on the perception of something as unimportant.

deemed irrelevant

Highlights the judgment that something is not relevant.

brushed aside

Indicates a quick and dismissive rejection.

ignored completely

Emphasizes the total disregard of something.

FAQs

What does "not given a second thought" mean?

The phrase "not given a second thought" means something was completely disregarded or not considered important at all.

How can I use "not given a second thought" in a sentence?

You can use it to express that someone didn't consider something before taking action. For example, "She quit her job and "not given a second thought" to the consequences."

What are some alternatives to saying "not given a second thought"?

Alternatives include "not considered at all", "dismissed out of hand", or "paid no attention to".

Is it better to say "didn't give it a second thought" or "not given a second thought"?

"Didn't give it a second thought" is an active construction and usually fits better in sentences where someone is actively making a decision. "Not given a second thought" is passive and works when describing something being generally overlooked.