do-overs
Fresh start attempts
A do-over is a second chance to attempt something after an initial failure or unsatisfactory result.
The term comes from children's games, where players call do-over! to replay a disputed or botched turn.
Adults use it more broadly: If I could have a do-over, I'd never have taken that job.
The concept implies wiping the slate clean—the first attempt doesn't count.
Perform once more
- restartCommence anew
- mulliganUnofficial second attempt
- retakeAttempt something again
- rebootCycle power intentionally
replay · reattempt · reset · rerun · rewinding · revision · rework · recommence
Unofficial second attempt
- respawnReappear after dying digitally
- continueGo on without stopping
- checkpointInspection station on route
- rematchRepeated contest between opponents
Renewed opportunity after failing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
renewal · recovery · salvation · absolution · reprieve · reformation · reinstatement · rebirth
Recognition after the fact
- wishingDesiring something hoped-for
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- ruefulnessSorrowful regret
- second-guessingReconsidering a decision made
self-reflection · reconsideration · retrospection · time-travel
redo
Perform once more
reboot · replay · reattempt · reset · rerun · rewinding · revision · rework · recommence · rewind
mulligan
Unofficial second attempt
- respawnReappear after dying digitally
- continueGo on without stopping
- checkpointInspection station on route
rematch · replay · warm-up · scrimmage · friendly · overtime
second-chance
Renewed opportunity after failing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
rehabilitation · renewal · recovery · salvation · absolution · reprieve · reformation · reinstatement · rebirth · restoration
hindsight
Recognition after the fact
- wishingDesiring something hoped-for
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- ruefulnessSorrowful regret
second-guessing · self-reflection · reconsideration · retrospection · time-travel
fixing
Restoring proper function
- mendingRestoring damaged items
- repairingRestoring broken items
- rectifyingCorrecting an error
amending · revising · editing · adjusting · patching · remedying · correcting · updating · debugging · troubleshooting
- workplace inefficiencybusywork, duplication, overlap, rework, redundancy
- improvementsimprovement, fixes, betterment, enhancement, upgrade
- reviewsreview, reviews, rating, ratings, critic
- Rechecksrechecks, retests, reassessments, reevaluations, double checks
do-oversdone deals
Completed binding agreements
point of no return · fait accompli · finality · sealed fate · locked in
do-oversthe past
All elapsed time
what's done is done · history · spilled milk · water under the bridge · bygones
over, done, undone, overdo, overdone, overdue, overboard, redone, undoes