flinch

A reflexive jerking away.

“My eye doctor hates the flinch I have every time he tries to get near my eyes.”

The slipping of the foot from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus; to cringe.

To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty

To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

To strip the blubber or skin from, as from a whale, seal, etc.