half-cocked
[ haf-kokt, hahf- ]
/ ˈhæfˈkɒkt, ˈhɑf- /
Save This Word!
adjective
(of a firearm) at the position of half cock.
lacking mature consideration or enough preparation; ill-considered or ill-prepared; half-baked.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Idioms for 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. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for half-cocked
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
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012