Give a little jerk when you switch on (5)
I believe the answer is:
start
'switch on' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for start that I've seen before include "Take the first step" , "Jerk" , "Begin - jump" , "Move quickly < when surprised" , "begin an argument?" .)