giving in to impulse

USAGE SUMMARY

"giving in to impulse" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means acting without thinking or without self-control. Example: Sarah was always impulsive, often giving in to impulse and making impulsive purchases without considering the consequences.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Finding the best pieces requires careful curating, research and a strategic approach, all without giving in to impulse buys, say fashion editors, stylists and executive image consultants.

BBC

By paying in advance, you can take advantage of an average of 10% off menu prices and more effectively budget your food expenditures, instead of giving in to impulse purchases.

BBC

This means recognizing the moments where you are struggling with self-control and, rather than giving in to impulse, taking a look at the Six Secrets and giving them a go before you give in.

HuffPost

This means recognizing the moments where you are struggling with self-control and, rather than giving in to impulse, taking a look at these strategies and giving them a go before you give in.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It will lower your general inhibitory tone so you give in to impulses you wouldn't normally," says David.

Vice

Research from the University of California in 2012 revealed that lack of sleep fuels eating junk food because the brain is more likely to give in to impulses and cravings.

HuffPost

Many of Friday's shoppers seemed to stick to lists and take advantage of discounts, rather than give in to impulse purchases.

The New York Times

JACK MENZ Westport, Conn., Nov. 10, 2012 To the Editor: David H. Petraeus gave in to impulse, ego, a personal need or whatever drives a man or woman to break a vow.

The New York Times

Don't give in to impulse buys.

WikiHow

It's easy to give in to impulse buying if you see a good deal on something, even though you may not need it.

WikiHow

We can only hope that authors keep giving in to the impulse to write, and that readers find their way to quality writing, no matter the tool or the medium.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about decisions, consider whether "giving in to impulse" strengthens your claim, providing a vivid image of human nature, or weakens it, suggesting the decision wasn't well thought through.

Common error

While the phrase is widely understood, avoid using "giving in to impulse" too frequently in formal writing. Opt for more nuanced vocabulary that illustrates the character's motivations, instead of being redundant in description. Instead use "losing self-control".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "giving in to impulse" functions as a verbal phrase. It describes the action of yielding or succumbing to a sudden desire or urge. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is used to convey a lack of self-control or forethought in decision-making.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "giving in to impulse" is a grammatically sound and comprehensible phrase that describes the act of succumbing to a sudden, often irrational, desire. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for general use and serves the purpose of explaining behavior driven by a lack of self-control. While frequently found in news and media contexts, it's advisable to avoid overuse in formal settings, opting for alternatives like "yielding to an urge" or "succumbing to desire", particularly when more precise language is required. Common questions involve its interchangeability with related phrases such as "giving in to temptation", and best practices revolve around being mindful of its potential negative connotations when describing decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succumbing to temptation

Focuses specifically on resisting or not resisting something enticing.

yielding to an urge

Emphasizes the powerful nature of the internal drive.

losing self-control

Highlights the lack of restraint.

acting impulsively

Shifts focus to the action itself being unplanned.

surrendering to desire

Implies a conscious choice to let go of resistance.

being swayed by temptation

Highlights external influence.

giving way to instinct

Connects action to innate behavior.

not resisting the urge

Emphasizes the lack of active opposition.

following one's whims

Suggests a lighthearted, carefree approach.

capitulating to an impulse

Implies a formal surrender.

FAQs

How can I use "giving in to impulse" in a sentence?

You can use "giving in to impulse" to describe a situation where someone acts without thinking, such as "He regretted "acting impulsively" and "succumbing to temptation" when he bought the expensive gadget."

What are some alternatives to "giving in to impulse"?

Some alternatives include "yielding to an urge", "losing self-control", or "acting impulsively", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "giving in to impulse"?

Yes, "giving in to impulse" is grammatically correct. It's a common phrase used to describe the act of succumbing to a sudden desire or urge.

What's the difference between "giving in to impulse" and "giving in to temptation"?

"Giving in to impulse" generally refers to acting on a sudden urge without much thought, while "giving in to temptation" implies resisting something appealing or desirable, such as "succumbing to desire".