uncock

He carefully uncocks the pistol before placing it in the safe.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To release the cock of a firearm: "uncock" means to carefully release the hammer or firing mechanism of a gun from its cocked (ready-to-fire) position, making it safe or preventing accidental discharge.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Before storing the revolver, he remembered to uncock it. (He released the hammer to make the gun safe.)
  • The soldier was trained to uncock his weapon after returning from patrol. (He carefully lowered the hammer to prevent an accidental shot.)
  • She accidentally uncocked the rifle while handling it. (She released the firing mechanism unintentionally.)

Advanced Usage

• "to uncock a gun": the most common and precise application, referring specifically to firearms.
  • Always uncock a pistol before cleaning it. (Release the hammer to ensure safety.)
• Figurative use (rare): To relax or release tension, though this is not standard.
  • After the tense meeting, he felt as if he had uncocked his nerves. (He released his built-up stress.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cock (verb): to set the hammer or firing mechanism of a gun into a ready-to-fire position.
  • He cocked the rifle before aiming. (He prepared the gun to fire.)
• Cocked (adj): in a state of being ready to fire.
  • The pistol was cocked and loaded. (The firearm was ready to discharge.)
• Uncocking (noun/gerund): the action of releasing the cock.
  • Proper uncocking is a critical safety procedure. (The act of releasing the hammer carefully.)

Synonyms

• De-cock: to release the cock of a firearm.
• Lower the hammer: to manually bring the hammer down from the cocked position.
• Disarm: to make a weapon safe (broader term, may include removing ammunition).

Phrasal Verbs

• Uncock (a gun): the standard transitive phrasal verb.
  • He carefully uncocked the shotgun after the hunt. (He released the hammer to make it safe.)

Related Idioms

• "Cock and uncock" (not a true idiom): a phrase describing the action of repeatedly setting and releasing a firearm's hammer.
  • He practiced cocking and uncocking the pistol until it became automatic. (He rehearsed the safety procedure.)

Note: "Uncock" is a highly specific technical term used primarily in firearms handling and safety. It has no common figurative or idiomatic extensions beyond this domain.