A knee-jerk reaction is an impulsive action or response, often made without much thought or consideration. The term comes from the reflex action that occurs when tapping the knee with a reflex hammer, which causes an involuntary leg movement. There are several synonyms for this term, such as impulsive reaction, gut reaction, instant response, reflexive action, automatic reaction, and spurt of emotion. Each of these words expresses a similar concept of reacting quickly without much thought. It is essential to be aware of our immediate reactions and acknowledge them before facing the consequences.