making a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear, pain, or surprise

he gave a flinching sideways glance, as if he were about to be reprimanded

the making of a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear, pain, or surprise

there can be no flinching in the face of our duty

make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear, pain, or surprise

she flinched at the acidity in his voice

he had faced death without flinching