Collocations for instinct - noun
ADJ.
deep, powerful, strong | gut | first, initial
His first instinct was to run away from danger.
His first instinct was to run away from danger.
good, unerring
Against her better instincts, she ran back into the burning house to save some of her jewellery. | He had an unerring instinct for when people were lying to him.
Against her better instincts, she ran back into the burning house to save some of her jewellery. | He had an unerring instinct for when people were lying to him.
base | basic | natural | primitive | creative | aggressive, competitive | maternal, mothering, protective | fighting, hunting, killer, predatory
(often figurative) He plays well but lacks that killer instinct that wins matches.
(often figurative) He plays well but lacks that killer instinct that wins matches.
survival | herd
What makes all these people come to the club? In my view it''s the herd instinct.
What makes all these people come to the club? In my view it''s the herd instinct.
sexual | business, commercial, political | animal, human
VERB + INSTINCT
have | lack | develop
In negotiating you have to develop an instinct for when to be tough and when to make a deal.
In negotiating you have to develop an instinct for when to be tough and when to make a deal.
follow, go on, obey, rely on, trust
Why don''t you just follow your natural instincts?
Why don''t you just follow your natural instincts?
ignore, suppress | satisfy | appeal to
They accused the campaign of appealing to the electorate''s baser instincts.
They accused the campaign of appealing to the electorate''s baser instincts.
share
Both superpowers shared the same instinct for self-preservation.
Both superpowers shared the same instinct for self-preservation.
INSTINCT + VERB
tell sb sth
Her instinct told her that she was being followed.
Her instinct told her that she was being followed.
guide sb
Artists have to learn to be guided by their instincts.
Artists have to learn to be guided by their instincts.
take over
Her instincts took over and she dived on the escaping thief.
Her instincts took over and she dived on the escaping thief.
be right/wrong
I''ve trusted my instincts in the past and they''ve usually been right.
I''ve trusted my instincts in the past and they''ve usually been right.
PREP.
by ~
Babies know by instinct who their mother is.
Babies know by instinct who their mother is.
on ~
I acted purely on instinct.
I acted purely on instinct.
~ for
He''s got an instinct for survival in a tough job.
He''s got an instinct for survival in a tough job.