full cock

[ fool kok ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the position of the hammer of a firearm when it is pulled back all the way, ready to be released and fall when the trigger is pulled: Compare half cock ( def ).
His rifle was at full cock, pointed directly at the intruder.

First recorded in 1740–50

On the very edge of the pool he again stopped and listened, holding his pistol at full cock.

It was a double-barrelled gun, at full cock, and every man in the little crowd assembled carried one like it.

Burns compared himself with such a companion to "a man travelling with a loaded blunderbuss at full cock."

We kept out our guns at full cock and ready for use, and told Rogers to look out for arrows, for they would come now if ever.

We decided to get our guns at full cock and then hail the camp, feeling that we had a little the advantage of position.

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