knee-jerk reaction
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.
My immediate knee-jerk reaction to your portfolio is that you have nearly 39% of your total holdings in stocks, which is OK.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026
That kind of knee-jerk reaction seems ripe to even out as panic gives way to more measured trading.
From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026
An employment tribunal found Police Scotland directly discriminated against the pair because of their sex and the decision to withdraw their firearms "amounted to a knee-jerk reaction in response to adverse media coverage".
From BBC • Sep. 2, 2025
"It's the same sort of knee-jerk reaction and then they'll shrug their shoulders and say 'well this is how it is now'."
From BBC • Jul. 15, 2025
It’s a knee-jerk reaction, so fast I forget for a second that I’m furious at him.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
