evaluate secondhand

[ih-VAL-yoo-ayt SEK-und-hand]
verb phrase
avaliar de segunda mão
1. to assess or judge something based on indirect information, reports from others, or previous assessments rather than direct personal examination
The inspector had to evaluate secondhand the condition of the building based on the previous engineer's report.
O inspetor teve que avaliar de segunda mão a condição do edifício com base no relatório do engenheiro anterior.
2. to appraise something without having seen or examined it in person
It's difficult to evaluate secondhand the quality of used furniture without inspecting it yourself.
É difícil avaliar de segunda mão a qualidade de móveis usados sem inspecioná-los pessoalmente.
This phrase is commonly used in professional, legal, and business contexts in both American and Brazilian English when discussing appraisals, inspections, or assessments made without direct personal involvement. In Brazil, it reflects the importance of due diligence in business transactions where not all parties can be present for evaluations.
NYC Slang
evaluate based on word-of-mouth or evaluate without scoping it out yourself
Synonyms / Sinônimos
assess indirectlyjudge secondhandappraise remotelyevaluate based on hearsayestimate indirectly
Antonyms / Antônimos
evaluate firsthandassess directlyexamine personallyinspect in personevaluate directly

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
avaliar de segunda mão
Standard formal usage in business and technical contexts
Rio de Janeiro
avaliar por ouvir dizer
More colloquial variant emphasizing hearsay aspect
São Paulo
avaliar indiretamente
Common in corporate and professional environments
Portugal
avaliar em segunda mão
Portuguese variant with slightly different preposition usage

Related Words

secondhand informationindirect assessmenthearsaythird-party evaluationremote appraisalhearsay evidence

Related Idioms & Phrases

evaluate based on hearsay
judge a book by its cover
evaluate sight unseen
evaluate by proxy
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