knee jerk
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Everyone recognizes there is a growing antibiotic resistance crisis, and the knee jerk reaction is to develop new antibiotics," You added.
From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2024
Unite's deputy regional secretary, Davy Thompson, said minimum service levels are "the most invidious example of knee jerk legislating this country has seen in a long time".
From BBC • Jan. 13, 2024
In the past, Campbell said, India’s leaders have had “almost a knee jerk reaction” to resist such massive multilateral projects.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 8, 2023
Ofori-Atta said another interest rate hike would be a "knee jerk reaction" to "imported inflation", noting that prices had continued to increase since the March increase.
From Reuters • May 12, 2022
Anxious attention to the knee jerk inhibits it; gritting the teeth or clenching the fist reinforces it.
From Psychology A Study Of Mental Life by Woodworth, Robert S.
