second wind: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “second wind” mean?
A renewed feeling of energy or strength that allows someone to continue an activity after feeling tired.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A renewed feeling of energy or strength that allows someone to continue an activity after feeling tired.
A renewed period of energy, enthusiasm, or success in any prolonged endeavor, after a period of fatigue or decline.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The phrase is equally common and understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Positive connotation of resilience and recovery. In sports contexts, it is a standard term.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “second wind” in a Sentence
[Subject] get/find/have a second windA second wind comes to [Subject][Subject] is powered by a second windVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “second wind” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - not standard as a verb.
American English
- N/A - not standard as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - not standard as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - not standard as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A - not standard as an adjective.
American English
- N/A - not standard as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe a project, company, or career that regains momentum after a difficult period. 'The new investment gave the startup a second wind.'
Academic
Used metaphorically in discussions of historical periods, artistic movements, or theoretical paradigms experiencing a revival.
Everyday
Commonly used for physical activities (sports, chores) and mental tasks (studying, working). 'After a coffee, I got my second wind and finished the report.'
Technical
In sports science and physiology, it refers to a real physiological phenomenon where the body adjusts to sustained aerobic exertion, reducing perceived effort.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “second wind”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “second wind”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “second wind”
- Using 'second wind' as a verb (e.g., 'I second winded'). It is a noun phrase.
- Misspelling as 'second win'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to informal. It is perfectly acceptable in spoken English, journalism, and business contexts, but might be replaced by more formal synonyms like 'resurgence' or 'revival' in very formal academic or legal writing.
It is commonly used metaphorically for projects, companies, movements, and ideas, not just people. For example, 'The peace talks got a second wind after the ceasefire.'
No, the phrase 'first wind' is not an established idiom. The expression 'second wind' originates from the experience of pushing past initial fatigue.
An 'adrenaline rush' is a sudden, short burst of energy caused by excitement, fear, or stress. A 'second wind' is a more sustained renewal of energy that occurs after acclimatizing to prolonged effort, often feeling calmer and more steady.
A renewed feeling of energy or strength that allows someone to continue an activity after feeling tired.
Second wind: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsek.ənd ˈwɪnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsek.ənd ˈwɪnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get your second wind”
- “Hit a second wind”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a runner (SECOND in a race) feeling the WIND at their back, pushing them forward again after almost stopping.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENERGY/ENDURANCE IS A NATURAL FORCE (WIND). FATIGUE IS A BARRIER. OVERCOMING FATIGUE IS FINDING A NEW SOURCE OF POWER.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'second wind' LEAST likely to be used?