flinch

Definition

  • verb: to move suddenly because you are afraid of being hit or hurt
  • verb: to withdraw or shrink from or as if from pain
  • often + 'at' or 'from'
  • synonyms: wince, shrink, shrine

Examples

  • The bill was much higher than expected, but he paid it without 'flinching'.

  • He 'flinched' when I tapped him on the shoulder.

  • He didn't 'flinch at' paying the bill.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) Everybody stop. Stand in front of the target. Four, gimme a hand here. You're gonna stand there while he throws those knives. And if I see you flinch, you're out. One thing you will learn here is that orders are not optional. Stop. Anyone can stand in front of a target. It doesn't prove anything. (..)
    2014 Divergent
  • (..) Could he really light a matchstick on his face? One time during a drug bust, he had one of his fingers shot off. He didn't even flinch. He just picked it up and used it to flip off every puerto rican in the place. And that's my cue. It's late. (..)
    2013 TvShow: Brooklyn Nine-Nine Title: Old School Season: 1 Episode 8
  • (..) That's insensitive. Mistake. Man's , has dementia, doesn't know we're here. He is inches from Carla's rack and hasn't flinched. - That is so sweet. - Yeah, it is. What about his subconscious? Eisenhower was a sissy. I think we're gonna be OK. (..)
    2001 TvShow: Scrubs Title: My First Day Season: 1 Episode 1