im·pulse /ˈɪmpʌls/ ●○○ noun 1 [countableC, uncountableU]WANT a sudden strong desire to do something without thinking about whether it is a sensible thing to do 冲动;突然的欲望 SYN urgeimpulse to do something a sudden impulse to laugh 突然想笑的冲动
Marge’s first impulse was to run. 玛吉的第一个念头就是跑。
Gerry couldn’t resist the impulse to kiss her. 格里抑制不住想亲吻她的冲动。
on impulse On impulse, I picked up the phone and rang her. 一时心血来潮,我拿起电话打给她。
Most beginners buy plants on impulse and then hope for the best. 大多数新手都是一时兴起把植物买回来,然后就抱着最大的希望。
impulse buying/shopping (=when you buy things that you had not planned to buy) 冲动购物
3 [countableC]REASON a reason or aim that causes a particular kind of activity or behaviour 推动力 It is the passions which provide the main impulse of music. 激情是音乐创作的主要动力。
n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1 : a sudden strong desire to do something without thinking about whether it is a sensible thing to doadjectivesstrong He had a strong impulse to punch Stan in the face.
irresistible (=very strong)I felt an irresistible impulse to giggle.
a sudden impulseShe felt a sudden impulse to play some music.
somebody's first/initial impulseHer first impulse was to turn and walk away.
a natural impulseMy natural impulse was to shout for help.
verbshave/feel an impulse toRosa had an impulse to tell Henry the truth.
resist/control an impulse (=not do something, even though you have an impulse to do it)Derek resisted the impulse to eat any more cake.
act on an impulse (=do something because you have a sudden desire to do it)Acting on an impulse, he decided to visit his sister.
obey an impulse formal (also yield to an impulse literary) (=do something because you have a sudden very strong desire to do it)Yielding to an impulse, she called him on her mobile phone.
impulse + NOUNan impulse buy (=buying something without having planned it)She admitted that the necklace had been an impulse buy.
phrasesdo something on impulse (=do something without having planned it)James bought her some flowers on impulse.