second acts
Careers after careers
Second acts are fresh starts or reinventions after setback or failure.
The phrase comes from F.
Scott Fitzgerald's observation that "there are no second acts in American lives"—a claim American culture seems determined to disprove.
A disgraced politician mounts a comeback; a failed entrepreneur launches a new venture; a recovered addict rebuilds: She's proof that second acts are possible.
The theatrical origin suggests the middle portion of a story, but common usage emphasizes renewal after apparent ending.
- fresh startOpportunity to restart unburdened
- clean slateRecord wiped clear
- new beginningChance to start again
- starting overBeginning again from scratch
- reinventionComplete self-transformation
comeback · bounce back · restart · renewals · encores · resurgence · turnaround · renaissance · redemption · revival · rebirth · born again · late bloomer · pivoting · Phoenix · self-discovery · sequel · F. Scott Fitzgerald
second actsbeginnings
Initial stages of something
premieres · origins · starting points · maiden voyages · launches
second actsendings
Concluding portions
one-hit wonders · flash in the pan · dead ends · has-beens · washed up
second actsfinal acts
Concluding portions of performances
prologues · epilogues · denouements · expositions · climaxes
second, acts, act, seconds, secondly, acted, acting, actor, actors