ENGLISH
REFERENCE

second nature

idiom

A mindset, skill, or type of behavior so ingrained through habit or practice that it seems natural, automatic, or without a basis in conscious thought.


Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    answer the call of nature

    To satisfy a bodily urge to urinate or defecate.

  2. 02

    better nature

    the more amiable qualities of someone

  3. 03

    have second thoughts

    To change one's opinion, or be uneasy about a previous decision.

  4. 04

    just a second

    A short period of time, typically anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes or more.

  5. 05

    let nature take its course

    To permit events to proceed or a situation to develop without intervention or interference.

  6. 06

    nature abhors a vacuum

    Generating and maintaining a near-vacuum is challenging (requiring technical rigor) because ambient pressure tends to push matter forcefully into the evacuated chamber; and generating a true vacuum (devoid of any matter at all) is extremely challenging.

  7. 07

    nature calls

    Used to indicate that someone (usually the speaker) feels a need to urinate or defecate.

  8. 08

    nature of the beast

    The unchangeable nature of something.

© 2026 English Reference