Flinching

/ˈflɪn.tʃɪŋ/

सहमना; चौंककर/डरकर पीछे हटना; (अनैच्छिक) झटका/झिझक

Origin & History

From Middle English flinchen (“to shrink back, recoil”), likely from Old Norse/Scandinavian sources related to flicking or sudden movement; attested from the 14th century.

मध्य अंग्रेज़ी flinchen (“पीछे सिमटना/हटना”) से, सम्भवतः पुरानी नॉर्स/स्कैंडिनेवियाई स्रोतों से (अचानक झटके/तेज़ हरकत से संबंधित); 14वीं शताब्दी से प्रमाणित।

Definition

Flinching is a quick, involuntary reaction—such as jerking back, tensing, or blinking—when something seems threatening, painful, or startling.

फ्लिन्चिंग एक तेज़, अनैच्छिक प्रतिक्रिया है—जैसे पीछे हट जाना, शरीर का सख़्त हो जाना, या आँखें झपकना—जब कोई चीज़ डरावनी, दर्दनाक, या चौंकाने वाली लगे।

Parts of Speech

Verb (present participle):
He kept flinching every time the door slammed.
दरवाज़ा ज़ोर से बंद होते ही वह हर बार सहम जाता था।
Noun (gerund):
Flinching can be a natural response to sudden pain.
अचानक दर्द होने पर सहम जाना एक स्वाभाविक प्रतिक्रिया हो सकती है।

Usage Examples

She was flinching as the nurse cleaned the wound.
He tried not to show fear, but he was flinching at every loud sound.
Flinching at criticism can make difficult conversations harder.
The dog stopped flinching once it realized it was safe.

Antonyms

Stand firm Face Confront Brace Remain steady

Related Forms

Noun
Adjective
Flinching / Unflinching
Adverb
Unflinchingly

Idioms & Phrases

Not flinch (from something)
(किसी चीज़ से) पीछे न हटना; डटे रहना
Without flinching
बिना झिझके; बिना डरे/सहमे