two for flinching

English

Interjection

two for flinching

1. Said after causing someone to flinch in anticipation of an attack, implying that the act of flinching permits the attack to be repeated.
   • 1974, Jeannie Sakol, New Year's Eve: A Novel, page 304:

     She ducked. "Two for flinching!" She held out her wrist, and he flicked it twice with his knuckles. Now she swung at him. He didn't duck but his eyelids blinked. "Two for flinching!" Triumphant, she took his wrist and hit it as hard as she could with two extended fingers.

   • 2013, Bill Braddock, Brew, page 75:

     Another gunshot popped overhead. Joel screamed, waiting for the pain.
     "Two for flinching," a voice said.