recoiling
recoiling — noun
1. the sharp backward push of a firearm against the shooter's body at the moment th
the sharp backward push of a firearm against the shooter's body at the moment the bullet is fired
The rifle's recoil pushed hard against Jabari's shoulder when he fired at the target.
the recoil of a rifle — possessive structure
Caleb learned to control the recoil by pressing the stock more firmly against his body.
Hunters often wear thick padded clothing to reduce the discomfort caused by a gun's recoil.
The powerful recoil of the old shotgun surprised Sofia the first time she fired it.
A heavy recoil can make the next shot less accurate if the shooter does not brace properly.
- kickback
less formal, used especially for smaller firearms
- backward thrust
more technical, less common in everyday speech
文法句型
the recoil of a gun/rifle/shotgun
用法筆記
Only sense that refers specifically to firearms. Not used for general backward movement.
常見錯誤
2. a sudden backward movement of the body or an object, especially in reaction to s
a sudden backward movement of the body or an object, especially in reaction to something unpleasant or surprising
Théo's quick recoil from the hot stove made him stumble into the kitchen counter.
recoil from [something] — prepositional structure
The children's startled recoil from the barking dog made everyone in the park laugh.
Karim felt a sharp recoil in his arm muscles as he yanked his hand away from the electric fence.
The cat's sudden recoil from the garden hose was so fast that Liang barely saw it move.
- withdrawal
slower, more deliberate — not as sudden as recoil
- retreat
suggests moving a longer distance away from danger
- advance
movement forward toward something
文法句型
a recoil from/at something
用法筆記
Distinguish from the 'GUN RECOIL' sense (noun/1): this sense describes any general backward motion, often of a living creature or one of its body parts, and is not limited to firearms.
recoiling — verb
- recoilingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- recoilings3rd person singular
- recoilinging-ing form
- recoilingedpast simple
1. to suddenly pull or jerk your body away from someone or something that frightens
to suddenly pull or jerk your body away from someone or something that frightens, shocks, or disgusts you
Emma recoiled when she saw the huge spider crawling across her bedroom pillow.
recoil at the sight of — followed by when-clause describing the trigger
The villagers recoiled from the thick smoke that came pouring out of the school roof.
Stefan recoiled in disgust as the waiter brought out a plate of raw squid covered in sauce.
Allison recoiled at the sight of blood running down the white hospital corridor floor.
Even the bravest soldier recoiled from the terrible scene after the car bomb exploded.
- flinch
more automatic, often before a blow or threat — less emotional
- shrink back
less sudden, more about becoming smaller in fear
- wince
facial or body reaction to pain, not necessarily moving away
文法句型
recoil at/from something
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or animal. The trigger (what causes the reaction) is introduced by 'at', 'from', or a 'when'-clause. The physical movement is often brief and automatic.
常見錯誤
2. to reject a proposal, principle, or action with strong moral disapproval, often
to reject a proposal, principle, or action with strong moral disapproval, often because it feels wrong or unacceptable
The committee recoiled from the suggestion that they should sell the public park to building developers.
recoil from a suggestion/proposal — formal rejection pattern
Nora recoiled at the very idea of lying to her closest friend just to earn a promotion at work.
Many young voters recoiled when they heard the candidate's plan to cut education funding across the country.
Zuri recoiled from the proposal to build a chemical plant right next to the primary school playground.
- balk at
very close in meaning; 'balk' emphasises hesitation and resistance rather than moral disgust
- shrink from
more literary; suggests avoiding a difficult duty, not just rejecting an idea
- be repelled by
describes a feeling of repulsion rather than the act of withdrawal
文法句型
recoil at/from something
用法筆記
Subject is a person or group reacting to an abstract concept (a plan, idea, policy). Unlike sense 1 (FEAR/DISGUST), the trigger is not a physical stimulus but a moral or intellectual one. Common in formal writing and news reporting.
常見錯誤
3. to return forcefully to an earlier position or shape after being pulled, pressed
to return forcefully to an earlier position or shape after being pulled, pressed, or stretched away from it
The thick rubber band recoiled sharply when Liang let go of the end he had been holding.
recoil sharply — adverb of manner
The metal spring recoiled into its original shape after Apinya stopped pressing down on it.
The diving board recoiled upward, sending the young swimmer flying high into the air above the pool.
When the archer released the bowstring, it recoiled forward and launched the arrow straight toward the target.
- rebound
more common in sports contexts; suggests hitting a surface and bouncing off
- spring back
explicit two-word verb, equally common in everyday use
- bounce back
less formal; suggests a lighter, quicker return
文法句型
recoil + adverb (sharply, back, immediately)
recoil into something
用法筆記
Subject is typically an inanimate object such as a spring, elastic band, bowstring, or flexible surface. Often used with adverbs of speed ('sharply', 'immediately', 'quickly') to emphasise the force of the return.