jerk
jerk
(dʒɜːʳk )Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense jerks , present participle jerking , past tense, past participle jerked
1. verb
If you jerk something or someone in a particular direction, or they jerk in a particular direction, they move a short distance very suddenly and quickly.
Mr Griffin jerked forward in his chair. [VERB adverb/preposition]
The car jerked to a halt. [VERB adverb/preposition]
'This is Brady Coyne,' said Sam, jerking his head in my direction. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
Mike kept snatching him up by the collar and jerking him up. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
Eleanor jerked her wrist free. [VERB noun adjective]
Foley raised his chin and jerked his neck as if his collar were too tight. [VERB noun]
2. countable noun
3. See also knee-jerk
Phrasal verbs:
