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half-cocked
[ haf-kokt, hahf- ]
/ ˈhæfˈkɒkt, ˈhɑf- /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
(of a firearm) at the position of half cock.
lacking mature consideration or enough preparation; ill-considered or ill-prepared; half-baked.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Idioms about half-cocked
go off half-cocked, to act or happen prematurely: He went off half-cocked and told everyone the news.Also go off at half cock.
Origin of half-cocked
First recorded in 1800–10
Words nearby half-cocked
half cent, half-century, half-circle, half-closed, half cock, half-cocked, half-completed, half-concealed, half-conscious, half-convinced, half-cooked
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use half-cocked in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for half-cocked
half-cocked
adjective
(of a firearm) at half-cock
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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