Reader’s question:

A: It's impulsive of you to do these things.

B: It's my style. Actually, I do anything by fits and snatches.

Could you explain “by fits and snatches”?

My comments:

Also by fits and starts.

Observe a car that has an ignition problem. That is, the ignition turns on and then promptly turns off, on and off. The car lunges forward and stops, lunges and stops, giving the driver fits (if, that is, the driver is one prone to be given fits by such matters).

“Snatch” implies the action is quick and short. “Fit”? Well, like a person who’s having a fit - an uncontrollable emotion.

Hence he who does things by fits and snatches are impulsive, as well explained in the example from above.

Well explained indeed I hope this is.

Related stories:

Personal chemistry

Put it on the back burner

Butt-brush effect

Make the cut

Poker face

Win hands down

Out on the street

Fly-by-night

Apple polisher

Might-have-beens

Think the world of

Ante up

Sit on the fence

On top of the world

Button your lip

One for the books

Pass the buck

Raw deal

Fire sale

Spill the beans

Sacred cow

Cheek to jowl

Peaches and cream

Know-it-all

A long shot

Miss the boat

Go to Zhang Xin's column

本文仅代表作者本人观点，与本网立场无关。欢迎大家讨论学术问题，尊重他人，禁止人身攻击和发布一切违反国家现行法律法规的内容。

Zhang Xin has been with China Daily since 1988, when he graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. Write him at: zhangxin@chinadaily.com.cn, or raise a question for potential use in a future column.