panic button

American  

noun

1. an alarm button for use in an emergency, as to summon help.

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idioms

1. push / hit / press the panic button, to give way to panic in a distressing situation.

panic button British  

noun

1. a button or switch that operates any of various safety devices, for use in an emergency

2. informal to react to a situation by demanding emergency action; become excited; panic

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Etymology

Origin of panic button

Allegedly first used in reference to emergency bell systems on World War II bombers such as the B-17 and B-24

Example Sentences

But with key earnings ahead and China’s DeepSeek poised to release a new model, investors may reach for the panic button again soon.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

This week’s software-stock selloff feels like the latest reason to reach for the career panic button, unless you happen to be an artificial-intelligence developer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Now Anthropic has provided one bot with a panic button just in case.

From Slate • Aug. 20, 2025

Mr Hagigi said he pressed a panic button and then the fire alarm, which turned on lights around the site.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2025

I hold the keys in the air and press the panic button again.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman