a scatti

Italian edit

Literally, “at jumps”.

with sudden and irregular movements; jerkily
- 2019, George Orwell, translated by Nicola Gardini, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Mondadori:
  Si mosse ancora su e giù a scatti, parecchie volte, guardando con smania la latrina.
  He made a few more jerky movements up and down, several times, casting a longing glance at the lavatory pan.
  (literally, “He still moved jerkily up and down, several times, watching the lavatory with longing.”)