full cock
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of full cock
First recorded in 1740–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The only conceivable alternative to the foregoing would be a situation in which the trigger was already pulled or held rearward while retracting the hammer to its full cock position.”
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 15, 2023
With the hammer in full cock position, the FBI report stated the gun could not be made to fire without pulling the trigger while the working internal components were intact and functional.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 15, 2022
“Alright it’s on the charge. Ready to fire. Put it on full cock and we’ll go,” he said.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 18, 2020
Little Rohan the sailor, one of his Zambesi men, was found with his rifle in hand at full cock, defending two loads against five men.
From Great African Travellers From Mungo Park to Livingstone and Stanley by William Henry Giles Kingston
His loaded rifle, carried, native fashion, at full cock, exploded, and the startled giraffes glancing round saw danger, and instantly broke into their ludicrous rolling gallop.
From Tales of South Africa by H.A. Bryden
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
