second-acts
Fresh starts later
Second-acts refers to fresh starts or comebacks after failure, setback, or obscurity.
The term comes from F.
Scott Fitzgerald's famous line "There are no second acts in American lives"—a claim that American culture constantly disproves.
Politicians, celebrities, and athletes regularly stage second acts: His second act came when he reinvented himself as a podcaster.
In theater, the second act is literally the middle portion of a play, but the figurative sense dominates.
Point of rotation
- transformationThorough change in form
- comebackRecovery after decline
- rebrandingRevising corporate identity
- reinventionComplete self-transformation
do-over · reboot · reset · crossroads · renewal · rebirth · phoenix · metamorphosis
Compensation for wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
amends · grace · mercy · reform · rehabilitation · restoration · vindication · exoneration
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- comebackRecovery after decline
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- determinationFirmness of purpose
courage · survival · overcoming · adversity · triumph · underdog · persistence · endurance
Scheduled performance pause
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- denouementStory's final unraveling
- protagonistStory's central figure
- midpointExact center between two
pivot
Point of rotation
- transformationThorough change in form
- comebackRecovery after decline
- rebrandingRevising corporate identity
reinvention · do-over · reboot · reset · crossroads · renewal · rebirth · phoenix · metamorphosis · self-reinvention
atonement
Compensation for wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- salvationDeliverance from harm
pardon · amends · grace · mercy · reform · rehabilitation · restoration · vindication · exoneration · turnaround
perseverance
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- comebackRecovery after decline
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
determination · courage · survival · overcoming · adversity · triumph · underdog · persistence · endurance
intermission
Scheduled performance pause
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- denouementStory's final unraveling
- protagonistStory's central figure
second-actsdebuts
Initial public appearances
beginnings · origins · starting points · premieres · maiden voyages
second-actsfinal acts
Concluding portions of performances
endings · conclusions · curtain calls · swan songs · finales
second, act, seconds, acts, secondly, secondary, secondarily, acted, acting