a knee-jerk reaction

См. также в других словарях:

• Knee jerk reaction — an immediate unthinking emotional reaction produced by an event or statement to which the reacting person is highly sensitive; in persons with strong feelings on a topic, it may be very predictable. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• knee-jerk reaction — A knee jerk reaction is an instant, instinctive response to a situation …   The small dictionary of idiomes

• knee-jerk reaction —    A knee jerk reaction is an instant, instinctive response to a situation.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

• knee-jerk reaction —  To act without thinking, thoughtless response.  ► “Insurance industry leaders must set aside their knee jerk hostility to federal involvement and push Washington for help in covering the catastrophe risks that have driven carriers from hurricane …   American business jargon

• Knee-jerk reaction —   A knee kerk reaction is an instant, instinctive response to a situation …   Dictionary of English idioms

• knee jerk reaction — n. automatic reaction or response to something; reaction occurring without thought …   English contemporary dictionary

• knee-jerk — is a popularized technicality taken from the physical meaning ‘a sudden involuntary kick caused by a blow on the tendon just below the knee when the leg is hanging loose’. It is now popular among politicians, broadcasters, etc., especially in the …   Modern English usage

• knee-jerk — adj [only before noun] a knee jerk reaction, answer etc is what you feel or say about a situation from habit, without thinking about it = ↑automatic ▪ A victim s knee jerk reaction to the crime is often revenge …   Dictionary of contemporary English

• knee-jerk — knee ,jerk adjective only before noun a knee jerk reaction is immediate and not carefully considered: Calling for longer prison sentences is just a knee jerk reaction to a rise in crime …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

• a knee jerk reaction — Meaning An automatic response to something. Origin From the tendency of the knee to jerk involuntarily when hit sharply …   Meaning and origin of phrases

• knee-jerk — ¦ ̷ ̷ (ˌ) ̷ ̷ adjective Etymology: knee jerk, noun : readily predictable : automatic knee jerk reactions also : reacting in a readily predictable way knee jerk liberals * * * /nee jerrk / …   Useful english dictionary