snap judgment

Idioms  

1. A hurried or impetuous decision or finding, as in George was known for making snap judgments on personnel questions; he rarely bothered to investigate further. This expression, which uses snap in the sense of “quick,” was first recorded in 1841.

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Example Sentences

The film also accurately shows Oppenheimer instantly responding, “That’s impossible,” promptly withdrawing his snap judgment and, within a week, outlining how the discovery might be used to make a bomb.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2023

Defense attorney Craig Harbaugh asserted the FBI was desperate to find the person responsible and made a snap judgment, focusing on Beal and ignoring other evidence and suspects.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 17, 2022

“Dana H.” compels you to relinquish any impulse to snap judgment.

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2021

The snap judgment in most cases would be to take the Chiefs on a question like this with Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Tyreke Hill and other weapons.

From Fox News • Feb. 2, 2021

Is there a more beautiful example of a snap judgment?

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell