Imagine the scene; you're sitting at the traffic light, waiting for it to turn green. All of a sudden, a person appears at your window and startles you.
You have a "knee-jerk reaction" and slam the gas pedal to the floor, hurtling the car across the intersection – thankfully, no one got hurt, including the homeless man that was next to your window.
This post looks at the meaning, origin, and use of the phrase "knee-jerk reaction."
Knee-Jerk Reaction Meaning
A "knee-jerk reaction" describes a fast response to a stimulus. While many of us might think of it as a physical reaction, it can occur verbally, online, or through any means of communication between two or more parties. Typically, the "knee-jerk" response is to a hostile, threatening, or posturing piece of news.
For instance, a sudden invasion into a country would cause a knee-jerk response from the UN to subdue the invading force and assist the invaded territory. "Knee-jerk reaction" is a useful and versatile term, and it suits many occasions in conversation.
The knee-jerk part of the phrase refers to acting without rational thought or an automatic response or reflex. You can also think of it as a spontaneous action or involuntary reaction to a stimulus.
Knee-Jerk Reaction Example Usage
"The boss said no to our proposal almost immediately; it was a total knee-jerk reaction from his side."
"The player dropped to his knees with his head in his hands in a knee-jerk reaction after missing the penalty shot in the UEFA final."
The military took a knee-jerk reaction to the situation, retaliating by bombing the city almost immediately after the event.
Simon took a knee-jerk reaction to the poster's unflattering comments.
The sudden rise in crime in the county caused a knee-jerk response from the police to tighten up patrolling.
The company scaled back its operations in a knee-jerk response to the unfavorable quarterly earnings report.
Knee-Jerk Reaction Origin
The "patellar reflex" refers to the act of sharply hitting the knee just below the knee cap to evoke a jerking response in the joint. This action typically occurs during a medical examination in the doctor's office and led to the adoption of the phrase in popular culture in the early 20th century.
The earliest reference to the use of the phrase occurred in October 1921, over 100-years ago. The figurative expression comes from O. O. McIntyre's column in The Coshocton Tribune "New York Day-By-Day."
The phrase continued to refine its use in society, and now, several subcultures use it in modern language. Financial analysts in the media may use the term when describing the market's response to news events.
News media may use it to describe swift political responses. The phrase can also mean to react to a stimulus without thinking through your response to the situation. As a result, you could end up making a bad mistake with your reactive behavior.
Phrases Similar to Knee-Jerk Reaction
- Horror-struck reaction.
- Impulsive response.
- Environmental response.
Phrases Opposite to Knee-Jerk Reaction
- A non-event.
- Expressionless reaction.
- Brush it off.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Knee-jerk reaction.
- A knee-jerk reaction.
- Knee-jerk response.
Ways People May Say Knee-Jerk Reaction Incorrectly
So people may use the phrase incorrectly. A "knee jerk reaction" doesn't usually refer to a physical reaction; it's more of an emotional response. A “knee-jerk reaction” is an outcome of a shocking event, not something mediocre.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Knee-Jerk Reaction
You can use this phrase to describe a shocking reaction in both public and formal conversation. A person may have a knee-jerk reaction to an environmental stimulus, or the market could have a knee-jerk reaction to related news catalysts.