twitch

Everyday

1. To make a small, quick movement that you do not mean to make: "My eye twitched." tree →
2. To move something a little and quickly: "The rabbit twitched its nose." tree →
3. A twitch is such a small quick movement. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life you may notice an eyelid twitch when tired, or a rabbit's nose twitch. In stories, curtains "twitch" when nosy neighbours peek out. In science, muscles can twitch on their own. Phrases: twitch its nose, an eye twitch, curtain twitcher.

Examples

• The rabbit twitched its nose. tree →
• My eyelid keeps twitching when I am tired. tree →
• The cat's tail twitched as it watched the bird. tree →
• The curtain twitched as we walked past. tree →
• He felt a twitch in his leg. tree →
• The dog's paws twitched while it was dreaming. tree →

Note

Regular verb: twitch, twitched; third person "twitches". A small twitch is usually harmless, often from tiredness. A "twitcher" in the UK is a keen birdwatcher.