hair trigger

¹ American  

noun

1. a trigger that allows the firing mechanism of a firearm to be operated by very slight pressure.

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hair-trigger ² American  

[hair-trig-er] / ˈhɛərˌtrɪg ər /

adjective

1. easily activated or set off; reacting immediately to the slightest provocation or cause.

   a hair-trigger temper.

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hair trigger British  

noun

1. a trigger of a firearm that responds to very slight pressure

2. informal

   1. any mechanism, reaction, etc, set in operation by slight provocation

   2. ( as modifier )

      a hair-trigger temper

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Etymology

Origin of hair trigger¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Origin of hair-trigger¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Investors appear to have been on hair trigger.

From Barron's

“These things were a little bit on a hair trigger,” Green said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rear buttons aside, the Scuf’s other big feature is its hair triggers, which have the quickest response of all the controllers tested here.

From The Verge

He’s in a stage in his career when he’s on a hair trigger to tuck the ball and run.

From Los Angeles Times

A review from The LA Times says Higgins’ book “takes the shine off” Musk, showing him to be “a hair trigger of an executive who’s quick to fire people whether they deserve it or not.”

From The Verge

Related Words

• critical
• precarious
• sensitive
• ticklish
• touchy
• tricky
• unpredictable
• volatile