take a second pass

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a second pass" is a valid phrase in written English.
It typically refers to reviewing something a second time, particularly in order to be sure that no important details have been overlooked. For example: "To make sure I hadn't missed anything, I took a second pass at the contract before signing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Wet your face, apply another thin coat of cream, and take a second pass.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

More recently, The Times has used a digital filtering algorithm to take a first pass at some categories of comments and quickly cull offending matter.

The New York Times

This could make translations a lot easier to do because the machine translation tools could take a first pass at the documents, meaning the translator would just have to correct any mistakes instead of starting with a blank screen.

TechCrunch

The factories know this, but sending the NDA (a) makes you appear serious about your idea and the protection of your IP – which you are and (b) is a handy way to take a first pass at eliminating factories that are not serious about working with you.

TechCrunch

Also, it took a second pass to achieve these results.

The New York Times

Where parents have become addicted to crystal meth, prescription painkillers or heroin, grandparents have stepped in and are taking a second pass at raising children.

The Economist

Rooney took a second pass from Berbatov, who drew the defense to him with a run through the area while Rooney slid the ball to Anderson, who beat goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon low to the far post.

The New York Times - Sports

He rose shortly after 6am, made coffee and settled down to work quickly, perhaps after taking a first pass at the crossword.

The Guardian

The European Union's executive body, the EC, has taken a first pass at drawing up a strategy to respond to the myriad socio-economic challenges around artificial intelligence technology — including setting out steps intended to boost investment, support education and training, and draw up an ethical and legal framework for steering AI developments by the end of the year.

TechCrunch

Almost exactly one minute later, give or take a second, Platini's gorgeous pass was bouncing towards his area with Battiston sure to meet it first.

The Guardian - Sport

Colorado is the latest state to take a second look at juvenile crime laws, passed largely because of rising crime during the 1980s and '90s.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a second pass", ensure the context implies a need for careful review or improvement. It's suitable when accuracy or thoroughness is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "take a second pass" excessively in writing. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "review", "re-examine", or "double-check" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a second pass" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of reviewing or redoing something. Ludwig examples highlight its use in contexts requiring careful attention to detail or improvement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a second pass" is a common idiom that means to review or revise something. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it is often used when careful attention to detail is required. While grammatically correct, varying your language with synonyms such as ""review again"" or "double-check" can help avoid repetition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts but also has application in formal and business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

review again

Focuses on the act of reviewing rather than a specific number of passes.

re-examine

Implies a more thorough and critical review.

go over again

A more informal way of saying to review something again.

revisit

Suggests returning to something previously considered.

look over again

Similar to "go over again" but emphasizes the visual aspect of reviewing.

double-check

Emphasizes verifying accuracy.

give it another look

More informal and emphasizes the act of looking.

revise

Implies making changes and improvements during the second review.

reassess

Implies a re-evaluation, not just a simple review.

reconsider

Focuses on thinking about something again, possibly changing an opinion.

FAQs

What does "take a second pass" mean?

The phrase "take a second pass" means to review something again, often to ensure accuracy or to improve upon the initial attempt.

How can I use "take a second pass" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate a re-evaluation, for example: "I decided to "review again" the document to make sure I didn't miss any errors."

What can I say instead of "take a second pass"?

You can use alternatives like "re-examine", "double-check", or "go over again" depending on the context.

Is it better to "take a first pass" or "take a second pass"?

Taking a "first pass" is about the initial attempt, while taking a "second pass" implies a review or revision. One isn't inherently better; they serve different purposes in a process.