wild instincts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wild instincts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe natural, untamed behaviors or reactions that are inherent to a person or animal, often in a context related to survival or primal behavior. Example: "In the face of danger, her wild instincts kicked in, prompting her to flee without thinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But he comes to find that there is harm in industrial farming too, and he simply can't deny his own wild instincts.

The New York Times - Books

Children's toys are used for therapy training sessions at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California to maintain the otters wild instincts skills.

The Guardian

Casteel, a photographer and animal rights activist in Los Angeles and Chicago, explains in his introduction why he lures his subjects into the pool: "Modern dogs are domesticated animals who embrace their friendship with humankind, but they also have a primitive side, and they jump at the chance to get in touch with their wild instincts.

The New York Times - Books

Being a largely ground-dwelling, gregarious bird, domestication of the quail was not difficult, although many of its wild instincts are retained in captivity.

Wikipedia

There is, of course, the obvious issue whenever someone decides to keep a wild animal as a family pet -- cheetahs are wild animals with wild instincts and though they are cute and cuddly as cubs, they are potentially deadly as adults.

Huffington Post

In the wild, dogs run in packs, and, even though your puppy is domesticated, he or she will have retained many wild instincts.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Russell adapted the Who's concept album himself, and gave free rein to his wildest instincts.

The Guardian - Film

School is supposed to civilise us, to tame our wilder instincts and teach us how to be more sensible, more knowledgeable and cleverer.

The Guardian - Opinion

But McMaster had been replaced by a man who will likely function as an accelerator on Trump's wildest instincts, and who will not hesitate to invalidate the Iran deal.

The New Yorker

Investment banks are also throwing more resources into merger and restructuring advice, neglected by some during the boom as "a mere pimple on the donkey's arse", as one veteran puts it, but now seen as a core source of revenue with limited downside.Much of this comes in anticipation of new rules designed to curb bankers' wilder instincts.

The Economist

Rudolf Scharping, Germany's defence minister, at first seemed to distance himself from American war talk by cautioning against the use of emotive language: "We aren't on the brink of war".A lot of Europeans, hoping that their advice may temper what they regard as the Pentagon's wilder instincts, say that the Americans should consult them and "co-operate" with them more.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wild instincts" when describing inherent, untamed behaviors in animals or humans, especially in contexts related to survival, competition, or primal urges.

Common error

Avoid using "wild instincts" in contexts where a more nuanced or specific term would be appropriate. For example, instead of saying someone followed their "wild instincts" in making a business decision, consider using "intuition" or "judgment" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wild instincts" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing inherent, untamed behaviors or reactions. Ludwig examples show the phrase used to describe both animal and human behavior. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wild instincts" refers to inherent, untamed behaviors, primarily used in neutral contexts to describe spontaneous reactions, often related to survival. While grammatically correct and usable as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's more frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. To express similar concepts, consider alternatives like "feral instincts" or "primal urges". Remember to reserve "wild instincts" for situations where untamed, natural behavior is truly the focus, avoiding overuse in contexts where more precise terms like "intuition" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feral instincts

Emphasizes the untamed and savage nature of instincts.

untamed impulses

Focuses on the unrestrained and uninhibited aspect of inner drives.

primal urges

Highlights the basic and fundamental nature of instinctive drives.

natural inclinations

Focuses on inherent tendencies and predispositions.

inherent behaviors

Highlights behaviors that are innate and part of one's nature.

instinctive reactions

Emphasizes the spontaneous and unthinking nature of responses.

gut feelings

Refers to intuitive and immediate feelings or understandings.

inner drives

Focuses on the motivating forces within an individual.

raw impulses

Underscores the unfiltered and unrefined nature of basic drives.

basic nature

Highlights the fundamental character and essence of someone or something.

FAQs

What does "wild instincts" mean?

"Wild instincts" refers to the inherent, untamed behaviors and reactions that are natural to a person or animal, often associated with survival or primal urges.

How can I use "wild instincts" in a sentence?

You can use "wild instincts" to describe behaviors that are spontaneous and not learned, such as: "In the face of danger, her "wild instincts" kicked in, prompting her to flee".

What are some alternatives to "wild instincts"?

Some alternatives to "wild instincts" include "feral instincts", "primal urges", or "natural inclinations", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Are "wild instincts" and "natural instincts" the same thing?

While both refer to inherent behaviors, "wild instincts" often implies a more untamed or primal nature, whereas "natural instincts" can refer to any inherent tendency.