hair trigger

¹

noun

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

hair-trigger

²

[ hair-trig-er ]

adjective

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

   a hair-trigger temper.

hair trigger

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hair trigger¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Origin of hair trigger²

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The loosening of limits has occurred as violent political rhetoric rises and the police in some places fear bloodshed among an armed populace on a hair trigger.

From New York Times

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

Dozens more are noted, most of them witnesses to or victims of the rage and wrath of Musk, a hair trigger of an executive who’s quick to fire people whether they deserve it or not.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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