Second guess

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New2grammar  #543836  Sun, 20 Jul 08 06:16 AM
After looking it up in the dictionary, I still don't understand the usage of second guess.

X: The answer is A.
Y: I don't think the answer is A.

Is Y second guessing?
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CalifJim  #543849  Sun, 20 Jul 08 07:41 AM
New2grammar
Is Y second guessing?
I wouldn't say so.  This is simple disagreement.

Second-guessing is criticizing someone's motives.  It's calling into question the reasoning or motives behind someone's decision.

Say that a public official makes a decision.  He gives money, let's say, to a charitable organization.  People start criticizing, saying that the official made the decision which would bring him the most financial gain.  They act as if they knew better than the person who made the decision what motives were in that person's mind.  They are second-guessing the decision.

Such criticism can apply to the actions of anyone, whether celebrities, or government officials, or sports figures, or your next-door neighbors.  Any time you learn of some action done and the person's reason for doing it, and you call the reasoning into question, possibly inventing various scenarios that you imagine are, in your opinion, the "real" reason they acted as they did, you are second-guessing.

CJ 

  
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New2grammar  #543855  Sun, 20 Jul 08 08:07 AM
Your explanation is really clear. What triggered me asking this question is actually a post by Martin. If you look at his post, he said he second guessed himself but I see no link between your definition and his case. I may not completely understand the usage, so please help me see his usage. (at the bottom in the first page). There are no motives. I see only disagreement just like my original example.

[link]

P.S.: Does my post contain any mistakes? I can't help but second-guess myself because of my condition...
  
Marius Hancu  #543912  Sun, 20 Jul 08 11:06 AM
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second-guess

 1 : to apply hindsight to or to the course of action of

 [link]

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Monday morning quarterbacking ... 

 

  
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