impulsive reaction

[ɪmˈpʌlsɪv riˈækʃən]
nounpl: impulsive reactions
reação impulsiva
1. A spontaneous, unplanned response or behavior that occurs without careful thought or deliberation
His impulsive reaction to the news was to immediately call his mother.
Sua reação impulsiva à notícia foi ligar imediatamente para sua mãe.
2. An automatic or instinctive response driven by emotion rather than reason
She regretted her impulsive reaction of yelling at him during the argument.
Ela se arrependeu de sua reação impulsiva de gritar com ele durante a discussão.
3. A hasty action taken without weighing consequences
Buying the car was an impulsive reaction that he later regretted.
Comprar o carro foi uma reação impulsiva que ele depois lamentou.
In both Brazilian and American cultures, impulsive reactions are often viewed negatively in professional and formal contexts, valued as authentic expression in personal relationships, and frequently attributed to youth or emotional stress. Brazilian Portuguese speakers may use 'de impulso' colloquially to describe something done on impulse, while English speakers often use the idiom 'knee-jerk reaction' in similar contexts.
NYC Slang
knee-jerk reaction, acting on gut instinct, doing something on a whim
Synonyms / Sinônimos
spontaneous responseinstinctive reactionhasty actiongut reactionknee-jerk responseemotional outburst
Antonyms / Antônimos
calculated responsedeliberate actionthoughtful reactionmeasured responseconsidered decision

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
reação impulsiva
Most common and widely understood translation
Rio de Janeiro
reação de impulso
Alternative phrasing sometimes used in colloquial speech
São Paulo
reação impulsiva
Standard usage in business and formal contexts
Portugal
reação impulsiva
Same translation used, though Brazilianisms like 'de impulso' are less common

Related Words

impulsiveimpulsereactionspontaneoushastyemotional

Related Idioms & Phrases

act on impulse
knee-jerk reaction
act without thinking
follow one's gut
jump to conclusions
react in the heat of the moment
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