1. (

• yank ,
• jerk ,

) pull, or move with a sudden movement; "He turned the handle and jerked the door open" ;

2. (

• jerk ,
• twitch ,

) move with abrupt, seemingly uncontrolled motions; "The patient's legs were jerkings" ;

3. (

• twitch ,
• jerk

) make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion; "his face is twitching" ;

4. (

• buck ,
• jerk ,
• hitch ,

) jump vertically, with legs stiff and back arched; "the yung filly bucked" ;

5. (

• jerk ,
• flick ,

) throw or toss with a quick motion; "flick a piece of paper across the table"; "jerk his head" ;