intuition-pump
/ˌɪn.tjʊˈɪʃ.ən pʌmp/ IELTSAcademic
noun
a thing or situation that helps you think of an answer quickly without long analysis. It is not a common standard dictionary word, so it often appears in specific writing or as a playful phrase.
- That puzzle was a real intuition-pump.
- The story works as an intuition-pump for ethics.
Adinary Nuance
An intuition-pump is not the same as an example or a simple illustration. It is designed to push your mind toward a conclusion, often by making you feel the answer before you prove it. Writers use it more in philosophy, debate, or creative writing than in normal conversation.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- kích thích trực giác
- Spanish
- estímulo intuitivo
- Chinese
- 直觉引导
- Japanese
- 直感を促すもの
- Korean
- 직관 자극
Etymology
This phrase combines Latin-root “intuition” with English “pump,” using pump in the sense of pushing or drawing out. It is a modern coined phrase, not a long-established everyday word.
Common phrases
a useful intuition-pumpserve as an intuition-pumpan ethical intuition-pump
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is intuition-pump a common everyday word?
- No, it is uncommon. You are more likely to see it in essays, philosophy, or online discussion.
- How is intuition-pump different from thought experiment?
- A thought experiment is the broader idea. An intuition-pump is a thought experiment that nudges your intuition toward a point.
- Can I use intuition-pump in formal writing?
- Yes, but mostly in academic or analytical writing. It may sound unusual in everyday speech.