panic move
Fear-driven hasty decision
A panic move is a hasty, reactive decision made under pressure rather than from careful consideration.
The term comes from gaming and sports, where a panic move is an impulsive play that usually backfires: He made a panic move and traded away his best player.
The phrase implies the person acted out of fear or desperation rather than strategy.
- rushQuick sudden movement
- mad dashFrenzied hurried rush
- fleeDepart swiftly from threat
- run for itFlee to escape
- scrambleMix into disorder
bolt · dash · frantic · desperate · instinct · flight · escape · fight or flight · jerk · lurch · snap · reflex · gut reaction · impulse · snap decision · split second · hasty · reckless
- desperate measureslast resort, desperate plea, last ditch, last chance, last hope