twitch

/twɪtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [twˈɪtʃ] /twɪtʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [twˈɪtʃ] /ˈtwich How to pronounce twitch (audio)/ (ame, mw)

twitch — verb

  • twitchpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • twitcheshe / she / it
  • twitchedpast simple
  • twitching-ing form

1. to make a quick, small movement that you do not fully control, or to make a body

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to make a quick, small movement that you do not fully control, or to make a body part move that way.

例句

Salma's left eye twitched during the long meeting after three cups of coffee.

body part as subject: eye twitched

A loose wire made the robot's arm twitch each time Bao pressed the switch.

make + body part + twitch

同義詞
  • jerk

    usually stronger and more sudden than twitch

  • quiver

    often softer or repeated, rather than one quick movement

  • spasm

    more medical and focused on muscle action

反義詞
  • hold still

    to keep the body from moving unexpectedly

文法句型

twitch

twitch + body part

用法筆記

Often used for body parts such as an eye, mouth, or cheek. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 is about the body moving on its own or being made to move, not about pulling an external object.

常見錯誤

❌My arm twitched the whole box.
✅My arm twitched.
💡sense 1 describes the small movement itself, not moving a larger object.
❌She twitched with the rope.
✅She twitched the rope.
💡when an outside object is pulled, English normally uses a direct object.

2. to pull something with a brief, sharp movement, or to move in that way because s

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to pull something with a brief, sharp movement, or to move in that way because someone pulls it.

例句

Kenji twitched the fishing line, and the float jumped near the reeds.

twitch + noun phrase

A sudden breeze twitched the tent flap open before anyone reached the door.

cause movement with a quick pull

同義詞
  • tug

    close in meaning; tug often sounds a little stronger or more effortful

  • jerk

    rougher and more sudden than twitch

  • pull

    broader and less tied to a short sharp movement

反義詞
  • push

    force in the opposite direction

  • release

    let go instead of pulling

文法句型

twitch + noun phrase

noun phrase + twitch

用法筆記

Usually takes an object such as a rope, line, lead, or flap. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 is about pulling an outside thing, not a body part jumping by itself.

常見錯誤

❌He twitched the suitcase across the station.
✅He dragged the suitcase across the station.
💡twitch suggests one short pull, not a long movement over distance.

3. used to say that a curtain moves because someone behind it is secretly watching

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

used to say that a curtain moves because someone behind it is secretly watching what is happening outside.

例句

The curtains twitched when the new family parked outside Mrs Patel's house.

curtains twitch = hidden watcher

As the ambulance stopped, the net curtains twitched along the quiet street.

British street scene with net curtains

同義詞
  • stir

    more general; does not carry the idea of secret watching

  • move

    neutral description with none of the social meaning

文法句型

curtains twitch

用法筆記

Mainly British. This expression does not describe the cloth itself as important; it hints that a curious person is peeking out from behind it.

4. to secretly watch what nearby people are doing, usually from behind a window or

4.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to secretly watch what nearby people are doing, usually from behind a window or curtain.

例句

People in the lane twitch whenever an unfamiliar car slows near the gate.

people + twitch (British informal)

My aunt says the whole block twitches when delivery vans stop outside.

同義詞
  • snoop

    broader and more direct; not limited to watching from home

  • nose around

    informal; can involve asking questions, not just peeking

反義詞

文法句型

people twitch

twitch + adverbial phrase

用法筆記

Usually humorous or mildly critical. It suggests nosy attention to other people's business, especially in a quiet residential area.

twitch — noun