hair trigger

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hair trigger

A hunter carefully adjusts the hair trigger on his rifle.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A very sensitive trigger on a firearm: A "hair trigger" is a trigger mechanism on a gun that requires only a very slight touch or minimal pressure to fire the weapon. It is adjusted to have an extremely short, light pull.
    • Figuratively, a state of extreme sensitivity or readiness to react: By extension, "hair trigger" describes a person, situation, or system that is poised to react instantly and explosively to the slightest provocation or stimulus.
Usage Examples

  • Noun (Literal):

    • The competition shooter adjusted his pistol to have a hair trigger for faster response times.
    • Handling a weapon with a hair trigger requires exceptional care and control.

  • Noun (Figurative):

    • After the stressful week, his temper was on a hair trigger.
    • The political situation in the region is balanced on a hair trigger, with the potential for conflict escalating from any minor incident.
Advanced Usage
  • "to have a hair trigger": To be extremely quick to react, often angrily or violently.
    • Be careful what you say to him; he has a hair trigger when it comes to criticism.
  • "hair-trigger temper": A temper that is easily and immediately provoked.
    • His hair-trigger temper made him difficult to work with during negotiations.
  • "hair-trigger response": An immediate, automatic, and often disproportionate reaction.
    • The security system has a hair-trigger response to any unauthorized movement.
Variants and Related Words
  • Hair-trigger (adjective): Used attributively to describe the noun's characteristic of instant reactivity.
    • The country was in a hair-trigger state of alert.
    • She has a hair-trigger reflex for detecting errors.
Synonyms
  • Sensitive trigger (literal).
  • Short fuse (figurative, for temper).
  • Tinderbox (figurative, for a volatile situation).
  • Explosive (figurative).
Related Phrases
  • Quick on the trigger: Ready to act or react immediately. (This phrase shares the firearm metaphor but implies speed rather than excessive sensitivity).
  • Touchy: Easily upset or offended. (A simpler synonym for the figurative sense).
hair trigger

A hunter carefully adjusts the hair trigger on his rifle.

Noun
  1. a gun trigger that responds with little pressure