abrupt movement

[/əˈbrʌpt ˈmuːvmənt/]
nounpl: abrupt movements
movimento abrupto
1. a sudden, unexpected change in position or direction without warning or smoothness
The car came to an abrupt movement when the driver suddenly braked.
O carro teve um movimento abrupto quando o motorista freou repentinamente.
2. a jerky or startling physical motion that happens quickly and without gradual transition
His abrupt movement toward the door startled everyone in the room.
Seu movimento abrupto em direção à porta assustou todos na sala.
3. an unexpected shift or change in body position or gesture
The dancer's abrupt movement created a dramatic effect on stage.
O movimento abrupto da dançarina criou um efeito dramático no palco.
In Brazilian Portuguese, both 'movimento abrupto' and 'movimento brusco' are acceptable, with 'brusco' being slightly more colloquial. In American English, this phrase is commonly used in fitness contexts (exercise form), driving instructions, and theatrical descriptions. The concept is culturally neutral but frequently appears in safety protocols and medical assessments.
NYC Slang
jerk move / sudden move
Synonyms / Sinônimos
sudden movementjerky motionsharp movementquick shiftjerklungestart
Antonyms / Antônimos
gradual movementsmooth motionfluid movementgentle motionslow movement

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
movimento abrupto
standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
movimento abrupto / movimento brusco
brusco also commonly used in everyday speech
São Paulo
movimento abrupto
formal and informal contexts use this term equally
Portugal
movimento brusco / movimento abrupto
brusco is more frequently used in European Portuguese

Related Words

joltstartletwitchflinchlurchgesture

Related Idioms & Phrases

make an abrupt movement
come to an abrupt movement
with an abrupt movement
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