'扭脖子' literally means 'to twist the neck' and functions as a verb describing the physical action of rotating or turning one’s neck sharply—either voluntarily (e.g., to relieve stiffness) or involuntarily (e.g., after an accident). The character 扭 conveys twisting or wrenching, 脖 refers specifically to the neck (a colloquial shortening of 脖子), and 子 is a common nominal suffix that here helps form a concrete, action-oriented noun-verb compound. Though grammatically a verb phrase, it often appears in imperative, descriptive, or resultative constructions.

Beyond its literal meaning, 扭脖子 can be used figuratively in informal speech to describe awkward or unnatural posturing—especially when someone turns their head abruptly to avoid eye contact, express disdain, or feign disinterest. It carries mild negative or humorous connotations in such contexts, implying discomfort, evasion, or affectation. The term is common in everyday spoken Mandarin but rarely appears in formal writing or medical terminology (where terms like 颈部扭伤 are preferred).