hair-trigger
Use Hair-trigger in a sentencehair trigger
noun
a trigger that allows the firing mechanism of a firearm to be operated by very slight pressure.
Origin:
1815–25
1815–25
Dictionary.com Unabridged
ər adjective
easily activated or set off; reacting immediately to the slightest provocation or cause: a hair-trigger temper.
Origin:
1885–90
1885–90
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To hair-trigger
00:10
Hair-trigger
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
| hair trigger | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a trigger of a firearm that responds to very slight pressure |
| 2. | informal |
| a. any mechanism, reaction, etc, set in operation by slight provocation | |
| b. (as modifier): a hair-trigger temper | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The realization that shooting first provides a huge advantage over an adversary leads to hair-trigger vigilance.
They reported the same nightmares, the same panics, the same hair-trigger vigilance their parents had.
Avoid adverse reactions and sidestep hair-trigger tempers by carefully considering your words.
Banning the hair-trigger loss of promotional interest rates.
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