Hair Trigger

Pronunciation: /hɛr ˈtrɪɡər/

Definitions of hair trigger

noun a sensitive or quick-acting trigger on a firearm

Example Sentences

A1 She has a hair trigger temper.

A2 The soldier was trained to react quickly with a hair trigger response.

B1 His hair trigger reaction caused the situation to escalate.

B2 The CEO's decision-making process is like a hair trigger, quick and decisive.

C1 The detective's instincts were on a hair trigger, ready to act at a moment's notice.

C2 The athlete's reflexes were so finely tuned, it was like he had a hair trigger for speed.

Examples of hair trigger in a Sentence

formal The soldier had to be careful not to accidentally set off the weapon's hair trigger.

informal Don't mess with him, he's got a hair trigger temper.

slang Watch out for her, she's got a hair trigger on her emotions.

figurative His decision to quit his job seemed to be a hair trigger reaction to the stressful situation.

Grammatical Forms of hair trigger

• plural: hair triggers
• comparative: more hair trigger
• superlative: most hair trigger
• present tense: hair triggers
• future tense: will be hair trigger
• perfect tense: has been hair trigger
• continuous tense: is being hair trigger
• singular: hair trigger
• positive degree: hair trigger
• infinitive: to hair trigger
• gerund: hair triggering
• participle: hair triggered

Origin and Evolution of hair trigger

First Known Use: 1865 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'hair trigger' originated from firearms, referring to a trigger mechanism that is extremely sensitive and requires very little pressure to fire.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'hair trigger' has come to be used metaphorically to describe a person who is easily provoked or reacts quickly and aggressively to a situation.