Flinch vs Gasp - What's the difference?
flinch | gasp |
A reflexive jerking away.
To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus.
* John Locke
To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty
To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.
A short, sudden intake of breath.
(British, slang): A draw or drag on a cigarette (or gasper).
To draw in the breath suddenly, as if from a shock.
To breathe laboriously or convulsively.
* Lloyd
To speak in a breathless manner.
To pant with eagerness; to show vehement desire.
* Spenser
As nouns the difference between flinch and gasp
is that flinch is a reflexive jerking away while gasp is a short, sudden intake of breath.As verbs the difference between flinch and gasp
is that flinch is to make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus while gasp is to draw in the breath suddenly, as if from a shock.As an interjection gasp is
The sound of a gasp.flinch
English
Noun
(es)- My eye doctor hates the flinch I have every time he tries to get near my eyes.
Verb
- A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining.
References
gasp
English
Noun
(en noun)- The audience gave a gasp of astonishment
- I'm popping out for a gasp .
Verb
(en verb)- The audience gasped as the magician disappeared.
- We were all gasping when we reached the summit.
- She gasps and struggles hard for life.
- The old man gasped his last few words.
- I'm gasping for a cup of tea.
- Quenching the gasping furrows' thirst with rain.