jerk

Everyday

1. (verb) To move or pull suddenly and roughly. tree →
2. (noun) A quick, sudden movement or pull. tree →
3. (noun, rude, informal) A mean or stupid person. tree →

In the lessons

In science of forces and in stories it describes sudden movements: «The bus jerked forward», «with a jerk». In safety: a sudden jerk on a lead or rope can hurt. «Knee-jerk reaction» means a quick answer without thinking. The rude meaning is an insult, so it is not polite to call people that.

Examples

• The car jerked forward when Dad let go of the brake. tree →
• She jerked her hand away from the hot pan. tree →
• The train stopped with a jerk. tree →
• The fish gave a jerk on the line. tree →
• He woke up with a jerk. tree →
• It was rude to call him a jerk. tree →
• The doctor tapped my knee and my leg jerked. tree →
• Seizing one corner of the half-worn blanket, Iktomi pulled it off with a jerk. tree →

Note

Regular verb: jerked. Adjective «jerky» = moving in sudden stops and starts; «jerky» (noun) is also dried meat. Calling someone «a jerk» is name-calling and can be hurtful.