Flinch vs Retreat - What's the difference?
flinch | retreat |
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.
The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
* Shakespeare
The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position.
A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.
* L'Estrange
* Dryden
A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude.
A period of meditation, prayer or study.
Withdrawal by military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack.
A signal for a military withdrawal.
A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base.
A military ceremony to lower the flag.
(chess) The move of a piece from a threatened position.
As nouns the difference between flinch and retreat
is that flinch is a reflexive jerking away while retreat is the act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.As verbs the difference between flinch and retreat
is that flinch is to make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus while retreat is to withdraw military forces.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
retreat
English
Noun
(en noun)- In a retreat he outruns any lackey.
- He built his son a house of pleasure, and spared no cost to make a delicious retreat .
- That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat / From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat.