Crossword Genius

Thoughtless fool going on a bender? (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

knee jerk

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'thoughtless fool going on a bender?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'fool going on a bender?' is the wordplay.
'fool' becomes 'jerk' (jerk can mean a foolish person).
'going on' says to put letters next to each other.
'a bender?' becomes 'knee' (something that bends).
'jerk' put after 'knee' is 'KNEE-JERK'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for knee jerk that I've seen before include "Involuntary or hasty (reaction)" , "Spontaneous" , "instinctive" , "Type of automatic reaction" , "(Of a reaction) automatic and unthinking" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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