Meaning & use
fight-or-flight
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountabletechnical
The body's automatic response to danger that prepares it to either fight or run away.
Grammar: Usually used before another noun, as in 'fight-or-flight response'. It is not used with 'a' or 'the' when referring to the general concept.
Patterns
- fight-or-flight response
- fight-or-flight reaction
When she saw the snake, her fight-or-flight response kicked in.
The fight-or-flight reaction causes rapid heartbeat and tense muscles.
Understanding the fight-or-flight mechanism can help manage stress.
Common combinations
- fight-or-flight response
- The fight-or-flight response is triggered by perceived threats.
- fight-or-flight reaction
- His fight-or-flight reaction made him want to run.
- trigger the fight-or-flight response
- Loud noises can trigger the fight-or-flight response.
Synonyms and how they differ
- stress response
- A broader term for how the body reacts to stress; 'fight-or-flight' specifically refers to the immediate reaction to danger.
Opposites
Practice
Which situation best illustrates the fight-or-flight response?
Choose one answer.
The fight-or-flight response is an automatic reaction to a threat, like a sudden loud noise, causing physical changes like a racing heart. The other options describe relaxed or non-threatening situations.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fight-or-flight”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.