knee-jerk reflex

• Réaction rapide, automatique et souvent irréfléchie à une situation, un événement ou un stimulus, généralement fondée sur l'émotion ou l'habitude plutôt que sur une réflexion approfondie. À l'origine, le terme vient du test médical du réflexe rotulien.

A quick, automatic, and often unthinking reaction to a situation, event, or stimulus, typically based on emotion or habit rather than careful thought. Originally derived from the medical term for the patellar reflex test.

1. Automatic physical reactionB2formal

   An involuntary kick of the lower leg when the tendon below the kneecap is tapped, used to test nerve function.

   réflexe rotulien

   • The doctor tested his knee-jerk reflex with a small hammer.
   • A normal knee-jerk reflex indicates healthy nerve pathways.
   • The patient's knee-jerk reflex was absent, suggesting a neurological issue.

2. Automatic emotional responseB2informal

   An immediate, unthinking reaction to a situation, often based on emotion rather than reason.

   réflexe de Pavlov

   • His knee-jerk reaction was to refuse the offer without considering it.
   • The politician's knee-jerk response to the criticism was defensive.
   • We need to avoid knee-jerk decisions and think carefully.