What Does “Get A Second Wind” Mean?
1. Regarding physical exercise, especially running, a second wind refers to a return to regular breathing and renewed endurance after being out of breath and exhausted. To get one’s second wind means to experience this return to normal breathing and renewed endurance.
2. Second win can also refer more generally to restored or increased energy and strength after feeling tired, weak, allowing one to continue or complete a task or activity.
Variation: Get a second wind
Sentence Examples
“A little more than halfway through the marathon I didn’t think I would be able to finish but then I got my second wind.”
“You worked all night. Why don’t you go home and get some sleep?” “Nah, I got my second wind. Let’s get this finished.”
“I’ve still got so much left to do to get the house ready to sell. Good thing I got my second wind about an hour ago.”
“I’m going to have to get some rest. I thought I got a second wind about half an hour ago, but now I’m even more exhausted than before.”
“I was ready to quit the project after weeks of no progress, but seeing the positive feedback from the first round of testing helped me get my second wind.”
“Look at this. Last night he’s swimming in Jack Daniels and now he can leap tall buildings in a single bound.” “I’m getting my second wind. Sit down, both of you.” — A Few Good Men 1992)
Origin of Second Wind
In this idiom, one’s wind refers to one’s breath or breathing. The expression originally referred to a return to normal breathing after physical exhaustion, but soon was extended figuratively to any effort. The expression has been used since the late 1800s.
The second wind, although used figuratively, is a real physiological state. Specifically, it occurs when the body switches over from anaerobic respiration to aerobic respiration, a more efficient means of producing energy. This stage can often occur around 10 to 15 minutes into an exercise session, after an athlete or runner “hits a wall” and experiences an intense state of fatigue and breathlessness. The second wind is also associated with the “runner’s high,” as it can correspond to the release of endorphins, blunting pain and discomfort and producing a feeling of ease and well-being.
William James, a renowned psychologist and philosopher, is responsible for popularizing the concept of the second wind in his 1906 writing, “The Energies of Men.” He was, however, focused on the psychological aspect.
Does Second Wind Come from Sailing?
Many sources claim that “second wind” has a nautical origin, suggesting it refers to a sailing ship catching a fresh breeze after being becalmed or “losing the wind” in its sails. While this sounds plausible, there is no historical evidence to support it.
The term has never been found in early maritime logs or sailing manuals in this context. Instead, the expression has always been rooted in human physiology, specifically the transition from the initial struggle of physical exertion to a more efficient state of aerobic breathing.
Further Reading: More Idioms About Exercise
- Out of Breath: The state of exhaustion that usually precedes a second wind.
- Catch Your Breath: What you need to do before your breathing finally regulates.
- No Pain, No Gain: The classic athlete’s mantra for pushing through the “wall.”
- Warm Up: The essential preparation that helps your body transition to aerobic exercise.
- Use It or Lose It: A reminder that physical stamina requires consistent practice.
- Couch Potato: The opposite of someone likely to experience a runner’s high!