Knee Jerk and Gut Reactions: When We Are Not in Control

2025 · VOA Learning English

This speaker is a general-american model. Each line below can be recorded and scored against it.

Transcript

1. And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning

   0.8s–14.1sPractise this

2. English. In life, some of our decisions and actions are well thought out.

   13.8s–26.3sPractise this

3. They involve research, examination, and time for thought. And other decisions and actions are not well thought out.

   26.5s–39.5sPractise this

4. We make them quickly, without thinking, almost like a pure physical reaction. We can call these decisions, actions or reactions knee-jerk

   39.6s–54.2sPractise this

5. Meriam Webster defines the noun "knee jerk" as “an involuntary forward kick produced by a light blow on the tendon below the kneecap.”

   59.2s–72.3sPractise this

6. It is an involuntary action. It's automatic.

   73.1s–79.1sPractise this

7. The words “involuntary” and “automatic” are important when understanding the term “knee jerk” and when to use it.

   79.3s–90.3sPractise this

8. Knee-jerk reactions seem to happen automatically without a decision-making process. We often use “knee jerk” as an adjective.

   91.5s–104.3sPractise this

9. Like hitting your kneecap to move your leg, knee-jerk reactions or statements also seem like an involuntary reflex

   104.6s–116.4sPractise this

10. "Knee jerk" also describes predictable behavior. Again, hit the knee, the leg will kick every time.

    116.8s–128.2sPractise this

11. So "knee jerk" describes someone who always reacts quickly and without enough thought.

    128.4s–136.8sPractise this

12. For example, let’s say you are on a team with someone who never faces responsibility for their mistakes in the game.

    137.0s–147.0sPractise this

13. If brought to account, the player always blames the dropped ball on other teammates. You can say that player is having a knee-jerk reaction to criticism.

    147.1s–161.2sPractise this

14. They have a go-to response. It’s like a reflex they can’t control.

    161.3s–168.8sPractise this

15. We often use knee-jerk in a criticizing or negative way. Now, a gut reaction also happens without thinking.

    168.9s–181.5sPractise this

16. But it is a bit different than a knee-jerk response. A gut reaction is a feeling.

    181.4s–191.0sPractise this

17. When we have a gut reaction, our instincts are telling us that something may not be right. Gut reactions are instinctual warnings.

    191.3s–204.5sPractise this

18. So, we also use this expression a bit differently than "knee jerk." We usually talk about our own gut reactions or impulses, not others.

    204.7s–218.7sPractise this

19. Here is an example: One day, I was hiking on a mountain in California. I had hiked for about two hours and was near the top.

    218.9s–231.0sPractise this

20. The view, I was told, was truly beautiful. I couldn’t wait to see it!

    231.1s–238.2sPractise this

21. Then, suddenly, I had a strange feeling. Something just didn’t feel right.

    238.3s–245.6sPractise this

22. I can’t explain why, but my gut instinct was to turn around and head back down the mountain.

    245.6s–254.1sPractise this

23. I later found out that a dangerous bear had been sighted in the same area that I had fled. I am so thankful I listened to my gut instinct.

    254.4s–267.3sPractise this

24. And that’s Words and Their Stories Until next time, I’m Anna Matteo.

    267.4s–272.3sPractise this