act impulsively

/ˈækt ɪmˈpʌlsɪvli/
phraseIntermediate
informal

To do something suddenly without careful thought or planning

He acted impulsively and bought a car without considering the cost.

He bought a car suddenly without thinking about the financial consequences.

Acting impulsively can lead to regret later.

Making decisions without thinking can cause problems in the future.

💡

This phrase is often used to describe actions taken without considering the consequences.

Collocations

act on impulseto do something without thinkingimpulsive behavioractions done without planning

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

act on a whimphrase
to do something suddenly without much thought
fly by the seat of one's pantsidiom
to act without planning

💡Pro Tip

Avoiding impulsive actions

Before making a decision, take a moment to consider the possible outcomes.

Gold Rule

Consequence awareness

Acting impulsively often leads to regret, so it's important to think before acting.

📖Word Origin

From 'impulse' (a sudden desire or inclination) + 'act' (to do something). The phrase emphasizes actions taken without forethought.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used to describe spontaneous or unplanned actions, often with negative connotations when the actions have bad outcomes.

Word Breakdown

act
to do something
root
+
impulsively
without planning or thinking
adverb
English Dictionary