balikwas
balikwás with stress marks
sudden turn; revolt
Usage Note
Balikwas carries both a physical sense — a swift turning of the body, as when someone spins around suddenly — and a social-political sense of uprising or revolt. The physical meaning is more common in everyday speech, while the political sense appears in historical and literary contexts.
Examples
" Isang balikwas at tumayo siya. "
Natural Translation
One sudden turn and he stood up.
Literal Translation
One sudden-turn and stood he.
" Isang balikwas lang ang kailangan. "
Natural Translation
Only one sudden turn is needed.
Literal Translation
One sudden-turn only the need.
" Sa isang balikwas ng katawan ay napatalon siya mula sa higaan nang marinig ang malakas na pagsabog sa labas ng bahay. "
Natural Translation
With one sudden turn of his body, he leapt up from the bed when he heard the loud explosion outside the house.
Literal Translation
In one sudden-turn of-the body is leapt he from the bed when heard the loud explosion at outside of-the house.
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